Entwine: A Narrative Reflection

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'entwined' refer to in the context of the story?

To twist together or connect (correct)

To be disconnected or separate

To move quickly without purpose

To remember past events vividly

When did the narrator kill Russell Gramercy?

September 12, 1994 (correct)

September 12, 2000

September 12, 2008

September 12, 1990

What significant event occurs in the narrator's life during his second week of college?

He has a deadly car accident. (correct)

He meets Russell Gramercy.

He graduates.

He moves to a new city.

How many years ago does the narrator reflect on the car accident?

18 years ago Signup and view all the answers

What activity was the narrator doing when the accident occurred?

Driving back from a trip to a lake Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the narrator's state before the accident?

He was alone and sober. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator frequently reflect upon after the accident?

The details of the event Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the story does the word 'entwined' symbolize?

The interconnectedness of characters' lives Signup and view all the answers

What significant action does the narrator take immediately after the accident?

He turns off the car. Signup and view all the answers

What detail does the narrator notice while driving in upstate New York?

A song by Pearl Jam playing on the radio Signup and view all the answers

How does Daria Gramercy react after the accident?

She cries for her father. Signup and view all the answers

What does Chris say about the accident?

There was nothing anyone could have done. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator see that indicates road work is occurring?

Orange traffic cones Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator notice about himself during the chaotic moment?

He is distracted by Daria's appearance. Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator feel about the moment he is experiencing?

He feels regret and wishes to change it Signup and view all the answers

What action does the narrator wish he could take regarding the moment?

Slam the brake pedal to stop the car Signup and view all the answers

Who was Russell Gramercy in relation to Chris?

Chris's baseball coach. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator do after he notices Russell Gramercy's condition?

He goes to comfort Daria. Signup and view all the answers

What is happening nearby that the narrator can hear while driving?

Children playing a Pee Wee League soccer match Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator refer to as trivial?

Memories that might fade away Signup and view all the answers

What symbolizes the impact of the accident on the scene?

The bits of glass on the narrator's shirt. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'time didn’t stand still' suggest about the moment?

It implies that significant changes were about to happen Signup and view all the answers

What immediate emotion does Chris display while comforting Daria?

Support and protectiveness. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the road signs mentioned in the passage?

They warn pedestrians to move to a safer area Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary emotional response the narrator has after the accident?

Guilt Signup and view all the answers

What action does the narrator's father want him to take in relation to the Gramercy family?

Attend the funeral Signup and view all the answers

What does the car insurance company advise the narrator's family to do?

Not to speak with the Gramercy family Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurs in the narrator's life after the accident?

He moves to New York City Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator perceive his failures in relationships?

As connected to the accident Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence that the narrator has faced for the past ten years?

He experiences nightmares Signup and view all the answers

During the memorial for Russell Gramercy, what does one speaker particularly highlight?

The importance of connections in life Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator refrain from doing after the accident?

Driving a car Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator first notice about the figures on the road?

They appear too small to identify clearly. Signup and view all the answers

What is the profession of Irving Beckstein?

A forensic video analyst. Signup and view all the answers

What does Beckstein do with the footage from the accident?

He crops and enlarges it. Signup and view all the answers

What does Beckstein suggest about the limitations of video enhancement on TV?

It cannot replicate the clarity of professional tools. Signup and view all the answers

How does the video look when Beckstein plays it on the monitor?

Heavily pixilated and blurry. Signup and view all the answers

What event does the video ultimately reveal?

Chris Gramercy pushing his father. Signup and view all the answers

What describes Beckstein's manner when explaining his analysis?

Confident and rehearsed. Signup and view all the answers

What impression does the narrator get from repeatedly watching the video?

He is confused by what he sees. Signup and view all the answers

What type of groups has the narrator joined?

Support groups for people who have caused deadly accidents Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator feel about the information learned from the video?

He does nothing with it. Signup and view all the answers

What concern does Daria express regarding Chris?

She thinks he may be involved in an accident. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the narrator lie to Daria about Chris?

To ease Daria's distress. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does lying to Daria have on the narrator?

It improves his worries and nightmares. Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator justify his lie to himself?

He thinks the truth would have been too painful. Signup and view all the answers

What does Daria accuse Chris of potentially doing?

Pushing their father in front of a car. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of his life does the narrator reflect upon after interacting with Daria?

His previous actions related to the accident. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Background

The word "entwine" means "to twist together"
The story explores how characters' lives become connected after a car accident
The narrator tells the story from the present, remembering past events

Summary

The narrator begins by stating he killed Russell Gramercy on September 12, 1994, during his second week of college
The event occurred 18 years prior to the telling of the story
The narrator repeatedly revisits the event in his mind and tells the story
September 12, 1994: The narrator is driving back from a lake trip
The narrator is alone, not drinking or speeding on a beautiful day in upstate New York
A Pearl Jam song is playing on the radio
The narrator notices a road work sign
Daria Gramercy is walking ahead of him with two men
The narrator describes Daria as beautiful

Targeted Passage (Page 1)

The narrator recalls not noticing the road signs for the work
He was listening to music and heard children playing
He wishes he could go back in time and stop the accident

Targeted Passage (Page 2)

The narrator's car hits Russell Gramercy
Gramercy's body breaks the windshield
The narrator hears Daria Gramercy scream
Glass is on the narrator's shirt
The police and ambulance arrive
The narrator knows Chris Gramercy, Russell Gramercy's son, and former teammate
Russell Gramercy was the coach of Chris's baseball team

Summary (Page 3)

The narrator talks to the police and a detective about the crash
Daria didn't see the car hit her father, but heard the sound
Chris says the driver wasn't at fault
The detective tells the narrator he won't be charged with a crime
The narrator's father takes him home
Russell Gramercy dies
The next day, the narrator is unable to eat or sleep
The narrator's parents insist the accident was not his fault
The car insurance company handles the accident fees, and tells the narrator not to talk to the Gramercy family

Summary (Page 4)

The narrator goes to a support group for those involved in deadly accidents
The narrator doesn't believe that anyone else there has committed murder the way he did.
A video of a nearby soccer game helps the narrator remember what happened
The narrator watches videos and finds an expert named Irving Beckstein
Beckstein shows him altered video to analyze what really happened with the focus on how Chris Gramercy put Russell into the path of the car

Summary (Page 5)

The narrator meets with Daria
Apologizes for not seeking her out after the accident
Daria says it wasn't his fault
The narrator speaks with Daria about Chris being in traffic
The narrator describes his feelings about the accident and the impact of lies
The narrator tells Daria that Chris wasn't involved in the accident; that Russell walked into the street
Daria cries, and then thanks the narrator
The narrator wonders if lying was the right thing to do

Turn & Talk (Page 5)

Discussion questions about whether the narrator should have told Daria the truth
Prompt to think about why the narrator lied and if there are ever good reasons to lie

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Description

This quiz explores the narrative structure and themes of the story 'Entwine', focusing on the pivotal car accident that connects the lives of the characters. Participants will reflect on the narrator's memories and the significant events that unfold in the past and present. Join us to deepen your understanding of the interconnected lives portrayed in this poignant tale.