S. E. Hinton S That Was Then, This Is Now 2012

S. E. Hinton’s That Was Then, This Is Now 2012

Reading Guide Name: ______period: ____

Objectives:

ü Read carefully and annotate novel so that you can participate in class discussions

ü Identify and explain themes in the novel

ü Character study: trace the change in Bryon from beginning to end of story

ü Relate your personal life experiences to similar experiences faced by one of the characters

ü List basic survival needs of the average teenager; evaluate the presence or lack of these needs in the lives of the main characters and how the characters are thus affected

ü Connect the fable “Androcles and the Lion” to its reference in the novel

ü Identify and explain imagery and analogy used by the author

ü Increase comprehension by learning SAT words and answering study guide questions as you read. Answers may be abbreviated, note form, but you must add to your notes during class discussions, using a different colored pen to do so. Turn in study guide for grade.

Pre-reading discussion question: What does a teenager need in order to develop into a well-adjusted, mature adult? List them and explain their importance. Who should provide these things?

Chapter 1

sole (9) ______

profound (12) ______

abruptly (13) ______

tactfully (15) ______

probation (16) ______

taunting (20) ______

wistful (22) ______

1. What is Bryon’s problem at the bar, and how is the problem solved?

2. Where does Mark live, and why?

3. What ‘talent’ does Mark have, and what happened to him because of it?

4. How does M&M react when Mark says he wants to jump someone? What does this tell you about the kind of person M&M is?

5. How would you describe M&M – appearance and personality?

6. Compare and contrast Bryon with his adopted brother, Mark.

Chapter 2

slight (28) ______

lame (28) ______

lanky (29) ______

homely (34) ______

assault (37) ______

inclined (41) ______

1. Where was Bryon’s mother, and why were the TV & car sold?

2. How does Bryon’s attitude toward stealing differ from Mark’s?

3. In a well-written story, nothing is random. Who is Randy, and what part might he – or the conversation he has with the boys – play a part later in the novel?

4. Bryon says he has never been able to accept something. What is it? Why does he feel this way? How do you feel about his attitude?

5. Whom does Bryon’s mother ask him to visit? What does Bryon learn about this person?

6. What is an analogy?

Explain the analogy found on page 34: “I was always making like Sir Galahad…”

7. What is unusual about Mike’s reaction to his attack?

8. Explain the difference of opinion between Bryon and Mark regarding Mike’s forgiveness.

Chapter 3

minor (43) ______

conceited (47) ______

sassy (55) ______

contorted (56) ______

flounced (56) ______

sarcastically (59) ______

1. Charlie said Bryon was honest in most ways, except one. In what area was Bryon dishonest? Why does Bryon “promise” himself he’ll think about it later?

2. How did Bryon feel about Curtis, and why? What did Mark say the reason was?

3. Describe M&M’s relationship with his family.

4. Describe the incident involving Mark, Angela, Ponyboy, and the other guy.

5. Compare and contrast Angela and Cathy.

Chapters 4 & 5

hub (67) ______

reminiscing (68) ______

rueful (68) ______

slacked (70) ______

vague (71) ______

aforementioned (73-4) ______

obligingly (77) ______

sauntered (82) ______

drawled (83) ______

smirking (84) ______

1. What aspects of gang life does Mark recall with the greatest pleasure? Why do you think he feels this way?

2. How does Bryon regard the old days as a gang member?

3. How did people at school feel about the fight?

4. Explain the irony of the incident with the principal’s car.

5. Ch. 4, last line: “He [Mark] smiled, like an innocent lion.” What is odd about this statement?

6. What kind of parent is Mrs. Douglas?

7. Describe, in order, what happened after Bryon & Mark hustled the two Texans.

8. Contrast the feelings Bryon and Mark had about the event with the Texans, and Charlie’s death.

9. Bryon said Mark was acting strange. What was Mark doing, and what does this tell you about their relationship?

Chapters 6 & 7

hysterical (89) ______

vengeful (89) ______

incredulous (92) ______

vaguely (93) ______

gravely (95) ______

hostility (99) ______

irrationally (105) ______

gulf (107) ______

1. What happened to the Texans?

2. Why did Bryon not feel vengeful about Charlie’s death?

3. What did kids do along The Ribbon? What did M&M do while they were cruising The Ribbon?

4. In what ways is Bryon changing? How does Mark react to the changes in Bryon?

5. If Angela was your friend, and she told you about the situation with her father-in-law, what advice would you give her?

6. On page 110, Bryon says that Angela “almost looked like she was behind bars.” Why is this an effective comparison?

7. What happened after Angela passed out?

Specifically, why did Mark do that?

Regarding the incident, is Brian an accomplice, or is he innocent? Explain.

8. Despite all he has gone through, Mark genuinely believes “nothin’ bad has ever happened to me.” List unfortunate events Mark has experienced, then explain why he perhaps feels this way.

9. Retell the story Mark told about his parents.

10. Read the fable “Androcles and the Lion,” then find and explain its reference in this chapter.

11. Several times now the novelist has compared Mark to a lion. How is he like a lion?

Chapters 8 & 9

swollen (128) ______

witticism (128) ______

relapse (132) ______

commune (134) ______

1. Where did Bryon & Mark go to look for M&M? Did they find him?

2. Why do you think Bryon does not consider the people at the commune “free,” as Mark does?

3. Explain what happens to Bryon when the Shepards confront him and why he assumes responsibility for Angela’s haircut.

4. Did Bryon want revenge? Explain the moral change he’s going through. What chance encounter earlier in the story helps explain this change?

5. After Bryon’s confrontation with the Shepards, the gulf between Bryon and Mark is even larger. Explain why.

6. What did Bryon do at the cemetery, and why do you think he did that?

Chapters 10 & 11

pleading ((148) ______

desperately (148) ______

formalities (153) ______

intent (154) ______

obscure (155) ______

1. Mr. Carlson tells Bryon he’s proud of him. Why is that so important to Bryon?

2. For what reasons does Bryon call the police?

3. What excuses does Mark give to justify selling drugs?

4. What realization did Bryon suddenly come to as he listened to Mark?

5. What would you have done if Mark were your friend or brother?

6. Is there anything Mrs. Douglas could have tried to do to prevent this event?

7. What punishment does Mark receive? Why did the judge give him that punishment?

8. How has M&M’s LSD trip changed him?

Post-reading discussion and questions:

9. What does Mark mean when he says at the very end, “Like a friend once said to me, ‘That was then, and this is now.’”?

What theme is implied by this saying?

What other themes are in this novel?

10. What lessons are contained in the story of Mike Chambers?

11. What incidents develop the author’s idea (tone) that revenge is pointless and wrong?

12. How have Bryon and Mark changed since the beginning of the story?

Changes in Bryon Changes in Mark