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Questions and Answers
What leads people to quit on themselves according to the content?
Which phrase does Thoreau use to describe lives lacking fulfillment?
What emotion does the speaker express regarding those who give up on life?
In what manner does the speaker contrast the individual who did not take their life?
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What age does the speaker suggest people might feel dead despite being alive?
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What does the speaker imply about the legacy of someone who gives up on life?
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What significant choice did the individual in Cleveland make that changed their life path?
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What object catches the derelict's attention in the pawn-shop window?
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What did the derelict plan to do with the gun he wanted to buy?
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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as something the derelict has lost?
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What does the derelict's facial expression suggest about his emotional state?
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How does the derelict feel about his past life?
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What ultimately leads the derelict to consider suicide?
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What clothing item does the derelict wear that reflects his dire situation?
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What does the derelict think will happen after he pulls the trigger?
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Study Notes
The Setting
- The scene is a desolate and dangerous neighborhood in Cleveland on a wet and gray morning.
- The temperature is just above freezing, with rain and ice falling.
- The streets and gutters are filled with refuse and lined with bars, peep shows, and hamburger joints.
The Protagonist
- A derelict, leaning against a pawn shop window, is seeking shelter from the elements.
- He is dressed in a tattered denim shirt that offers little protection from the cold.
- His hair is matted, eyes bloodshot from cheap wine, and his stomach aches from hunger.
The Protagonist’s Dilemma
- He sees a small handgun for sale in the pawn shop for $29.
- He has only three $10 bills left, representing his entire fortune.
- He believes the gun will solve all his problems, leading him to contemplate suicide.
The Protagonist's History
- He has lost everything: his wife, daughter, home, job, pride, faith, confidence, and self-esteem.
- He played the game of life without learning the rules, leading to his current state.
The Universal Message
- The protagonist's story reflects the struggles of many who lose hope and contemplate ending their lives.
- Others give up on their dreams and settle for a life of quiet desperation, existing rather than living.
- The text highlights the human cost of giving up and the importance of fighting for a better future.
- The protagonist chooses not to purchase the gun and survives, highlighting the possibility of overcoming despair.
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Description
Explore the depths of despair faced by a derelict in a haunting Cleveland neighborhood. This quiz delves into the protagonist's struggles with homelessness, addiction, and his tempting dilemma of acquiring a handgun. Test your understanding of his tragic situation and the choices that accompany it.
