Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets Quiz & Flashcards

Study Notes

Author

Jack Finney is the author of "Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets."

Emphasis

The story highlights the importance of the setting.

Setting

The narrative unfolds in New York City, specifically in an 11th-floor apartment on Lexington Avenue and on the precarious ledge outside.

Contrast in Settings

Apartment: warm, secure, comfortable, spacious, inviting.
Ledge: cold, insecure, narrow, chilly, confining, uncomfortable, perilous.

Conflicts

Man vs. Environment: Tom faces the challenges of the ledge.
Man vs. Himself: Tom battles his inner fears.
Value System vs. Value System: The tension between personal fulfillment and business success, highlighting materialism versus human relationships.

Characters

Tom and Clare Benecke are the central characters; Tom is dynamic while Clare remains static.
Tom works in the wholesale grocery business.

Theme

The story illustrates that the true significance of life becomes clearer when confronted with mortality.

Symbol

The yellow paper symbolizes Tom's hard work and ambitions initially but ultimately reflects fleeting aspirations and a wasted life.

Climax

The pivotal moment occurs when Tom calls out "Clare!" as he resolves his conflict by smashing the window.

Suspense

The title suggests impending death, with the author effectively building tension throughout the story.

Ways Tom Signals for Help

He calls out for assistance.
He lights scrap paper multiple times to create a flame.
He drops coins from his pockets in groups of three or four.

Irony of Situation

The yellow paper, which Tom risked his life to recover, eventually exits through the broken window, evoking laughter from Tom.

Life Lesson

The narrative conveys that pursuing ambition at the expense of human relationships diminishes life's meaning.

Jack Finney's Life Span

Finney lived from 1911 to 1995 and was an American writer.

Finney's Most Famous Works

"The Body Snatchers" (1955), reprinted as "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1973).
Other notable novels include "Time and Again" (1970) and "About Time" (1986).
"The Love Letter" (1998), a television movie, was adapted from one of his short stories.
Several movies, such as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978) and "Body Snatchers" (1993), are based on his works.

Jack Finney's Death

Finney passed away from pneumonia and emphysema in 1995.

Description

Test your knowledge on the key elements of 'Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets' by Jack Finney. This quiz focuses on important terms, settings, and contrasts within the story. Perfect for students or fans looking to deepen their understanding of the text.

Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Who is the author of 'Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket'?

What is the setting of 'Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket'?

The two settings in the story are the apartment, which is ______, and the ledge, which is ______.

What are the main conflicts faced by Tom in the story?

Who are the main characters in 'Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket'?

What is the theme of 'Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket'?

What does the yellow paper symbolize in the story?

What climactic action does Tom take in the story?

The title 'Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket' implies that someone will die in the story.

What are the three ways Tom signals for help?

What is the irony of the situation at the end of the story?

What life lesson can be derived from 'Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket'?

When was Jack Finney born and when did he die?

What is one of Jack Finney's most famous novels?