S. E. Hinton’s That Was Then, This Is Now 2015

Reading Guide Name: ______period: ____

Objectives:

ü  Read carefully and annotate the novel

ü  Discuss issues of drug abuse, gang life, social misperceptions, ill-conceived attitudes, etc.

ü  Identify and explain themes in the novel

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

ü  Relate your personal life experiences to similar experiences faced by one or more 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  Identify and explain allusions (Sir Galahad, “Androcles and the Lion,” Jack the Ripper)

ü  Identify and explain imagery

ü  Increase comprehension by learning SAT words

ü  Answer study guide questions as you read. Except for the 2 Venn diagrams and the Pre-reading question, all answers must be in complete sentences. You must add to your notes during class discussions. 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 10+ items and explain their importance. Who should provide these things?

Item Provided by Importance______

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 do we know about Charlie? From his interactions with Mark and Bryon, what kind of a character would you say he is?

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

5.  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?

6.  Describe M&M in both appearance and personality.

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

Bryon Mark

Chapter 2

slight (28) lame (28) lanky (29) homely (34) assault (37) inclined (41)

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

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

10.  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?

11.  Bryon says he has never been able to accept something. What is it? Why does he feel this way? Explain whether or not you think his attitude is justifiable.

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

13.  Define allusion.

  1. Google Sir Galahad (http://www.kingarthursknights.com/knights/galahad.asp) and read the 3 paragraphs about this character. Who was sir Galahad?
  1. Explain the allusion on page 34.

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

15.  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)

16.  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?

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

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

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

20.  Compare and contrast Cathy and Angela.

Cathy Angela

Chapters 4 & 5 hub (67), reminiscing (68), rueful (68), slacked (70), vague (71), aforementioned (73-4) obligingly (77), sauntered (82) drawled (83) smirking (84)

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

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

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

24.  Find and explain the allusion on page 78. Which word from Vocabulary Lesson 10 describes M & M? Use it in your explanation.

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

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

27.  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)

28.  What happened to the Texans?

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

30.  On pages 92-93, Cathy expresses multiple concerns about M & M’s possible marijuana use. List her concerns.

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

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

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

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

35.  What happened after Angela passed out?

  1. Specifically, what rational does Mark give for his actions?
  1. Regarding the incident, is Bryon an accomplice, or is he innocent? Explain.

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

37.  Retell the story Mark told about his parents.

38.  A third allusion appears on page 114. Google and read the fable “Androcles and the Lion” and why the author used this allusion.

Chapters 8 & 9 swollen (128) witticism (128) relapse (132) commune (134)

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

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

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

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

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

44.  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)

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

46.  For what reasons does Bryon call the police?

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

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

49.  What might Mrs. Douglas have done to prevent this event? Note at least two things.

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

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

Post-reading discussion and questions:

52.  What would you have done if Mark was your friend or brother and you found out he was selling drugs?

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

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

55.  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.’”?

  1. What theme is implied by this saying?
  1. What other themes are in this novel?

56.  Review your response to the pre-reading question on the first page of the study guide. Did the main characters have what they needed to develop into well-adjusted, mature adults? Evaluate Bryon and Mark and one other character of your choice (M&M, Cathy, Angela, Curly Shepard, or Mike Chambers).

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