Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the reason Mr. Arable decided to take the ax to the hoghouse?
What was the reason Mr. Arable decided to take the ax to the hoghouse?
- To check on the health of the other pigs.
- To cut firewood for breakfast.
- To fix the hoghouse.
- To kill a weak piglet that was born. (correct)
How did Fern react to her father's decision about the pig?
How did Fern react to her father's decision about the pig?
- She supported her father's decision.
- She protested and showed her emotional distress. (correct)
- She ignored the situation altogether.
- She went to get help from the neighbors.
What justification did Mrs. Arable give for Mr. Arable's actions?
What justification did Mrs. Arable give for Mr. Arable's actions?
- They needed to make space for healthier pigs.
- They had too many pigs.
- The runt would likely die anyway. (correct)
- The pig was causing trouble in the hoghouse.
What was John Arable's response when Fern begged him not to kill the pig?
What was John Arable's response when Fern begged him not to kill the pig?
What did Mr. Arable mean when he said, 'A weakling makes trouble'?
What did Mr. Arable mean when he said, 'A weakling makes trouble'?
What did Mr. Arable mean by saying Fern was trying to rid the world of injustice?
What did Mr. Arable mean by saying Fern was trying to rid the world of injustice?
Why did Fern have to wait to eat breakfast?
Why did Fern have to wait to eat breakfast?
What was Avery's initial reaction to seeing the pig?
What was Avery's initial reaction to seeing the pig?
What did Mrs. Arable use to feed the pig?
What did Mrs. Arable use to feed the pig?
How did Fern feel about the pig when she first saw it?
How did Fern feel about the pig when she first saw it?
Flashcards
Why Fern doesn't want the pig killed?
Why Fern doesn't want the pig killed?
Fern believes killing the small pig is unfair and unjust because the pig cannot help its size.
Papa's perspective on the runt pig
Papa's perspective on the runt pig
Papa believes the weak, small pig will cause problems later, and sees the need to prevent future difficulty by removing it.
Fern's argument to her father
Fern's argument to her father
Fern argues that the runt pig is not inherently different or less valuable than other beings.
Mr. Arable's compromise.
Mr. Arable's compromise.
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Fern's determination
Fern's determination
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Arable's pig
Arable's pig
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Avery's reaction.
Avery's reaction.
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Fern's reaction to the pig.
Fern's reaction to the pig.
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Mr. Arable's wisdom.
Mr. Arable's wisdom.
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Feeding the pig.
Feeding the pig.
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Study Notes
Chapter 1: Before Breakfast
- Fern questions her parents' decision to kill a runt pig.
- Mrs. Arable explains the pig is too weak to survive.
- Fern is upset and runs outside to find her father.
- The pig was born last night, and is small
- Fern's father is going to the hoghouse with an axe.
- Fern is eight years old.
- The pig is a runt, meaning it is small and weak.
- Fern's father decides to kill the runt pig because it will not amount to anything.
- Fern is unhappy with this decision and feels strongly about the pig.
- The scene emphasizes the themes of empathy, compassion, and a child's perspective on injustice.
Emotional Response
- Fern cries and expresses her disagreement with the decision to kill the pig
- Fern's feelings are strong and emotional.
- The father's apparent nonchalant attitude toward the pig's fate contrasts sharply with Fern's distress.
Family Dynamics
- Fern's mother presents a rationale for the pig's death.
- Fern's father makes the practical decision to kill the pig.
- The story highlights possible differences in perspectives between parents and children.
- The mother's role seems to be one of supporting the father's decision rather than her own opinion.
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