“Two Fishermen”by Morley Callaghan
Individual Questions
1. The hangman is described as a ‘mild, harmless-looking guy’ and is ‘awfully polite’ (p300). Explain why you think he is mentioned in this way. What would your image of a hangman be? Why do you think this way?
2. Why is Thomas Delaney presented as ‘young Thomas Delaney, who had grown up in the town’?
3. In what way is Delaney presented as not really being a criminal?
4. What do you believe the townspeople think about him being hanged? Why do you think this?
5. What do you think is Foster’s reason for wanting to meet the hangman?
6. When Michael Foster says to Henry Steadman, the sheriff, ‘just leave it to me’ (p301) what do you think he is referring to?
7. On p301, the author mentions the evening. Why do you think he chose this particular setting? Explain.
8. How is the hangman, Mr Smith, described on p301/2. How does the author want the reader to view him?
9. Why does Michael Foster befriend him?
10. Why do you think that ‘they were a bit afraid of each other’
11. What reason do you think the hangman has for never reading about the people who will be hanged?
12. Mr Smith uses the phrase ‘Whenever I get a call to go some place’. Why do you think he uses this phrase for the job he does?
13. What is the hangman’s view of his job (p303)? What words and phrases tell you this?
14. What is ironic about the toast ‘Happy Days’?
15. List the things which show that the reporter and the hangman get on well.
16. Why do you think the reporter ‘didn’t want to be seen walking back to town’ with Mr Smith and why do you think ‘he felt so ashamed of himself’?
17. Why does the hangman dress as he does for the hanging?
18. Suggest a reason for Michael not going fishing early in the morning?
19. Why does Smitty give Michael the fish?
20. Why do you think the story focuses on the relationship between the two men rather than on the main event for bringing them together?
21. Why is it that Michael ‘could stand there no longer … so he, too, moved out and joined the crowd’.
22. Why is the hangman pelted with stones?
23. Why does Michael back farther and farther into the crowd?
24. Why does Michael ‘shake his head and feel sick’ when the crowd yells ‘Sock him [the hangman]?
25. What is your view of the hangman? Do you prefer to refer to him as K Smith, the hangman, or Smitty. Why?
26. What is your view of Michael Foster’s behaviour? Explain.
27. What two things that Michael Fosters says (p306/7)show his conflicting feelings?
28. Why did Michael feel ‘hot with shame’ and want to ‘get out of the crowd’?
29. Who is the criminal and who is the scapegoat?
30. Do you feel that Michael Foster betrayed the hangman? Why or why not?
31. Who is the villain of this story? Explain your choice.
32. What is your view of capital punishment? Explain your view.
33. If you agree with capital punishment would you alter your view if presented with a story of a miscarriage of justice? Explain your response.
If you disagree with capital punishment would you alter your view if a close family member was raped, tortured and murdered? Explain your response.
Research:
- Morley Callaghan
- One of the last five hangings in Canada
- Why the death penalty was abolished in Canada
- A miscarriage of justice where someone was actually found to be innocent after they had been put to death.
The research will be presented to the class.