1. Why does Philip really keep working at the clinic?
2. If he is so offended at being called a murderer, why does Rick do what he does at the end of the story?
3. Does Rick kill himself after? ("and suddenly I felt like pulling out the gun and shooting myself right then and there" [63])
4. What is the significance of Mr. Beard? What does he represent and why is he so hateful?
5. Do you agree with what the protesters are doing? their cause?
6. Why is Rick so defensive?
7. Why does Philip say "Not again. Not today, of all days" (58)? What was so important about that day?
8. What do Philip's kids think about his job? How are they affected? Do they know what his job is?
9. Was Rick's interest in Sally rational? out of line? Why did he find her so fascinating? Was he just curious, or was there more to his obsession?
10. Is Rick spiritual? What role does God play in the story?
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1 comment:
Excellent questions Peter. This is not an easy story to figure out. I especially liked questions 7 through 10. A lot of stories are about a character's growth--and this one seems to begin that way. But then you have that tragic ending which really raises deep questions about whether this is a traditional narrative. The character of Sally is also interesting--something of her representing goodness to Rick in a way he has never had it. Despite the gruesome ending, Rick seems to be motivated by ideals and altruism at the end--(as misplaced and out of context as it seems to occur).
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