Sinking House Name:

part one (of two) questions, pgs 55-62 Date:

tinyurl.com/SL-Smith-Boyle Per°:

Respond to the following questions.

1. What happens to Monty? What euphemism (an innocuous word or expression used in place of one
that may be found offensive or suggest something unpleasant) for this event does the author use?
What is the effect of using that term?

2. “She” is not named for three pages. We learn Muriel’s name when the neighbor remembers
it--uncertainly. What is the effect of not naming the subject of the writing?

3. How does “she” react to what happens to Monty? Why do you think she does this? Cite verbs and
adverbs describing her reaction as part of your response. Circle the verbs and place a box around the
adverbs.

4. Review the first two paragraphs after the break on pg 56. React: do you like Meg Terwilliger? Is she a
sympathetic character? Why or why not?

5. Meg wonders what it would be like to be old. What considerations occur to her? What does this reveal
about her sense of self? How does the author bring Meg and Muriel into parallel?

6. Describe the interaction between Meg and Muriel when Meg first discovers the water. What is the only
phrase Muriel uses during this interaction?
 7. In the evening following Meg and Muriel’s conversation, the reader is introduced to Meg’s husband,
Sonny. Is Sonny a sympathetic character? Are we supposed to like him? Why or why not?

8. With what does the “crisply surveyed, neatly kept world [Sonny] so cherish[es]” confront him? What
does this reveal about Sonny’s perception of the world? Is this revelation into Sonny’s mindset and
value system intended to have a positive, negative, or neutral effect on the reader?

9. Describe Sonny’s conduct on Muriel’s doorstep. Does this conduct conflict with or further underscore
your evaluation of his character, above? How does Meg respond to this conduct, and what does her
response reveal?

10. Characterize the author’s use of dialogue. How do the characters speak to one another? How
effective or problematic is speech? Do they truly communicate with each other? What is the effect on
the reader?

11. Do Muriel’s actions make sense? How would you react in Sonny and Meg’s place when she asks,
“Water? What water?”

Complete the Chart - Description and Comparison

In the text, find descriptions and/or objects of comparison made to each of the following:

Muriel Meg

Sonny water