Podcast
Questions and Answers
What happens to Killer Kane?
What happens to Killer Kane?
Just before the trial starts, Killer Kane pleads guilty and makes a deal to serve out the rest of his original sentence plus ten more years.
What does Grim say to Max about his father?
What does Grim say to Max about his father?
Grim tells Max, 'The man is an accident of nature. All you got from him is your looks and your size. You've got your mother's heart, and that's what counts.'
What does Freak tell Max about remembering?
What does Freak tell Max about remembering?
Freak says, 'Remembering is just an invention of the mind.'
Why is Freak's birthday like two birthdays?
Why is Freak's birthday like two birthdays?
What happens to Freak on his birthday?
What happens to Freak on his birthday?
What does Max take to the hospital, and why?
What does Max take to the hospital, and why?
Who finds Max outside the hospital, and where is he taken?
Who finds Max outside the hospital, and where is he taken?
Describe what Max sees and feels in the ICU.
Describe what Max sees and feels in the ICU.
What does Freak tell Max about The Bionic Unit?
What does Freak tell Max about The Bionic Unit?
What does Freak tell Max to do with the book he gives him?
What does Freak tell Max to do with the book he gives him?
What happens when Freak starts coughing in the ICU?
What happens when Freak starts coughing in the ICU?
What does Max do with the book from Freak?
What does Max do with the book from Freak?
What does Max find out when he gets to the ICU?
What does Max find out when he gets to the ICU?
What does Dr. Spivak tell Max about lying to Freak?
What does Dr. Spivak tell Max about lying to Freak?
How does Freak die?
How does Freak die?
What does Max do after Freak dies, and how does he feel?
What does Max do after Freak dies, and how does he feel?
What does Grim tell Max about living and having Freak as a friend?
What does Grim tell Max about living and having Freak as a friend?
How does Max feel when he goes back to school?
How does Max feel when he goes back to school?
What does Tony D. say to Max when he returns to school, and what does Max do?
What does Tony D. say to Max when he returns to school, and what does Max do?
Who does Max see the winter after Freak died, and what does she say to him?
Who does Max see the winter after Freak died, and what does she say to him?
What does Max do with the empty book?
What does Max do with the empty book?
Who is telling the story?
Who is telling the story?
Who are Gram and Grim?
Who are Gram and Grim?
What does Max think of Freak when he sees him for the first time?
What does Max think of Freak when he sees him for the first time?
Identify Him.
Identify Him.
Why is Grim concerned about Maxwell?
Why is Grim concerned about Maxwell?
What didn't Max have until Freak moved down the street?
What didn't Max have until Freak moved down the street?
Describe the down under. Why does Max like the down under?
Describe the down under. Why does Max like the down under?
Describe how Freak looks when Max sees him giving orders to the moving men.
Describe how Freak looks when Max sees him giving orders to the moving men.
What does Max retrieve from the tree for Freak?
What does Max retrieve from the tree for Freak?
What observation does Max make about how Freak talks?
What observation does Max make about how Freak talks?
What does Freak do when Max asks him why he calls his mother 'Fair Gwen of Air'?
What does Freak do when Max asks him why he calls his mother 'Fair Gwen of Air'?
What does Max know about King Arthur?
What does Max know about King Arthur?
What is Freak's version of the Arthurian Legend?
What is Freak's version of the Arthurian Legend?
Why is Freak really interested in the knights?
Why is Freak really interested in the knights?
What does Freak tell Max about robots?
What does Freak tell Max about robots?
What is Freak's mother's reaction to seeing Max?
What is Freak's mother's reaction to seeing Max?
Describe how Max feels when he goes to the place in his head.
Describe how Max feels when he goes to the place in his head.
What was Gwen's relationship with Max's mother?
What was Gwen's relationship with Max's mother?
What does Gwen think of Max's father?
What does Gwen think of Max's father?
Why is it bad for Max to look like his father?
Why is it bad for Max to look like his father?
Why does Max cry like a baby when he goes to bed after having dinner with Freak and Gwen?
Why does Max cry like a baby when he goes to bed after having dinner with Freak and Gwen?
What happens to Max and Freak when they are walking to the millpond to see the fireworks?
What happens to Max and Freak when they are walking to the millpond to see the fireworks?
Identify Blade.
Identify Blade.
Why does Max put Freak on his shoulders at the fireworks display?
Why does Max put Freak on his shoulders at the fireworks display?
Describe what happens to Freak and Max after the fireworks.
Describe what happens to Freak and Max after the fireworks.
How do Freak and Max get out of the pond after escaping from Tony D. and his gang?
How do Freak and Max get out of the pond after escaping from Tony D. and his gang?
After rescuing Freak and Max from the pond muck, who does the cop say Max is?
After rescuing Freak and Max from the pond muck, who does the cop say Max is?
When the police officers ask for the boys' names after rescuing them, what name does Kevin give the police?
When the police officers ask for the boys' names after rescuing them, what name does Kevin give the police?
How do Grim and Gram react to Max's being a hero?
How do Grim and Gram react to Max's being a hero?
What does Max think about rescuing Freak?
What does Max think about rescuing Freak?
What does Gram ask Max to do regarding the hoodlum boy? What is his response?
What does Gram ask Max to do regarding the hoodlum boy? What is his response?
What has become a habit for Max and Freak when they go out together?
What has become a habit for Max and Freak when they go out together?
What secret does Max promise to keep about the Medical Research building?
What secret does Max promise to keep about the Medical Research building?
What does Freak tell Max when he asks if the transplant will hurt and if it is dangerous?
What does Freak tell Max when he asks if the transplant will hurt and if it is dangerous?
What is the quest Freak and Max have to wait until exactly three in the morning to do?
What is the quest Freak and Max have to wait until exactly three in the morning to do?
What is the treasure in the storm drain?
What is the treasure in the storm drain?
How did the treasure get into the storm drain?
How did the treasure get into the storm drain?
What does Max call the New Tenements?
What does Max call the New Tenements?
What type of people live in the Testaments?
What type of people live in the Testaments?
Identify Loretta Lee.
Identify Loretta Lee.
Why does Max like Freak riding on his shoulders?
Why does Max like Freak riding on his shoulders?
What does Max know about Iggy?
What does Max know about Iggy?
Why does Iggy let Max and Freak leave without messing with them?
Why does Iggy let Max and Freak leave without messing with them?
What does Freak tell Max about his father's leaving after he was born?
What does Freak tell Max about his father's leaving after he was born?
What happens in Mrs. Donelli's class that gets Max and Freak sent to the principal's office?
What happens in Mrs. Donelli's class that gets Max and Freak sent to the principal's office?
What does Freak teach Max that no one else has been able to do?
What does Freak teach Max that no one else has been able to do?
How is reading different from writing to Max?
How is reading different from writing to Max?
Why does Max think Mrs. Addison has called him to the office?
Why does Max think Mrs. Addison has called him to the office?
What does Mrs. Addison promise Max regarding his father?
What does Mrs. Addison promise Max regarding his father?
What happens to Freak while Max is getting him more chop suey?
What happens to Freak while Max is getting him more chop suey?
Why does Freak NOT want Gwen to hear Max talking about the robot stuff?
Why does Freak NOT want Gwen to hear Max talking about the robot stuff?
Why does Freak need a new body?
Why does Freak need a new body?
While Max is in the down under wrapping Christmas presents, why are Gram and Grim shouting?
While Max is in the down under wrapping Christmas presents, why are Gram and Grim shouting?
What does Grim tell Max about his father?
What does Grim tell Max about his father?
On Christmas Eve what do Freak, Max, Grim, Gram, and Gwen do?
On Christmas Eve what do Freak, Max, Grim, Gram, and Gwen do?
Describe the box and gift Freak gives to Max on Christmas Eve. What does Max think of his gift from Freak?
Describe the box and gift Freak gives to Max on Christmas Eve. What does Max think of his gift from Freak?
What happens to Max in the night on Christmas Eve?
What happens to Max in the night on Christmas Eve?
What does Max's father tell him is the truth?
What does Max's father tell him is the truth?
What has Max always feared about his father?
What has Max always feared about his father?
Where does Killer Kane take Max on Christmas Eve?
Where does Killer Kane take Max on Christmas Eve?
Where does Iggy take Max and Killer Kane on Christmas Eve?
Where does Iggy take Max and Killer Kane on Christmas Eve?
What does Killer Kane want Max to know?
What does Killer Kane want Max to know?
What does Killer Kane swear on the Bible?
What does Killer Kane swear on the Bible?
What is Killer Kane's plan for the future?
What is Killer Kane's plan for the future?
Describe where Killer Kane takes Max to hide from the cops.
Describe where Killer Kane takes Max to hide from the cops.
Who first comes to help Max escape from his father?
Who first comes to help Max escape from his father?
What is the escape plan Loretta describes to Max?
What is the escape plan Loretta describes to Max?
What happens while Loretta is untying Max?
What happens while Loretta is untying Max?
What does Max do to help Loretta?
What does Max do to help Loretta?
What does Max remember as he sees his father strangling Loretta?
What does Max remember as he sees his father strangling Loretta?
How does Killer Kane react to Max's memory about his mother's death?
How does Killer Kane react to Max's memory about his mother's death?
What did Max do when he was four that cost Killer Kane years?
What did Max do when he was four that cost Killer Kane years?
Why does Max's father try to strangle him?
Why does Max's father try to strangle him?
Who comes to rescue Max and Loretta from Killer Kane?
Who comes to rescue Max and Loretta from Killer Kane?
How do Freak and Max get away from Killer Kane?
How do Freak and Max get away from Killer Kane?
What does everyone say will happen to Killer Kane?
What does everyone say will happen to Killer Kane?
What do the newspapers call Loretta Lee?
What do the newspapers call Loretta Lee?
What does Freak tell Max Dr. Spivak says about his unique medical status?
What does Freak tell Max Dr. Spivak says about his unique medical status?
What is different about school after Christmas vacation?
What is different about school after Christmas vacation?
Study Notes
Characters and Relationships
- Maxwell serves as the narrator of the story, sharing his thoughts and experiences.
- Gram and Grim are Maxwell's grandparents; they belong to his mother's side, showing concern for his well-being.
- Freak, also known as Kevin, is a significant character who first meets Max in daycare. He impresses Max with his fierce demeanor and unique mobility aids.
Setting and Symbolism
- The "down under" is a secluded space in Grim's basement, providing Max a place of solitude and comfort.
- The millpond serves as a location for a key adventure where Max and Freak confront danger from Tony D. and his gang.
Key Events
- Max first perceives Freak as an imposing but intriguing figure, drawn to his crutches and leg braces.
- Max retrieves a plastic bird, dubbed an "ornithopter" by Freak, highlighting their budding friendship.
- Freak introduces Max to concepts of robotics and Arthurian legends, demonstrating his intelligence and imagination.
- The pair’s adventures lead them to encounter challenges, from neighborhood bullies to the police, showcasing their loyalty and mutual support.
Conflicts and Resolutions
- Grim fears that Max may inherit traits from his incarcerated father, which creates tension in their relationship.
- Max grapples with his identity, often feeling overshadowed by his father's notorious reputation.
- After a frightening encounter with his father, Max learns the importance of friendship and courage when Freak intervenes, solidifying their bond.
Themes
- The concept of bravery is prevalent as Max often finds himself in dangerous situations but ultimately proves to be heroic.
- The importance of friendship is demonstrated through the support and encouragement Max and Freak offer each other.
- Identity and self-acceptance are explored as Max learns to differentiate himself from his father’s legacy.
Significant Moments
- On Christmas Eve, Max experiences trauma when his father returns, illustrating the impact of familial fear.
- The duo’s rescue journey culminates in a dramatic escape aided by Loretta, representing the theme of unexpected allies.
Learning and Growth
- Amidst their escapades, Freak educates Max on reading and inventiveness, fostering Max's personal growth and self-esteem.
- The narrative illustrates the transformative power of friendship, as Max evolves and finds confidence through his partnership with Freak.
Health and Medical Context
- Freak's health condition and aspiration for a bionic enhancement become central to the plot, addressing themes of disability and hope for improvement.
- His hospitalization raises stakes in the narrative, leading to moments of vulnerability for both characters.
Conclusion
- The culmination of their adventures solidifies Max and Freak's friendship, establishing them as "Freak the Mighty" and emphasizing the narrative’s core message of courage, camaraderie, and resilience against adversity.### Freak's Special Operation
- Freak is scheduled for a special operation that aims to change his life.
- Max is told he will see a "new and improved" version of Freak afterward.
The Blank Book
- Freak gives Max a blank book, instructing him to fill it with their adventures together.
Incident in the ICU
- Freak starts coughing in the ICU, prompting a hectic response from medical staff.
- Dr. Spivak tells Max to leave during the emergency.
Max's Discovery of Freak's Death
- Upon arriving in the ICU, Max learns that Freak has died.
- He observes nurses reacting with tears and feels a surge of rage.
Dr. Spivak's Explanation
- Dr. Spivak reveals to Max that she misled Freak regarding his bionic body.
- She recounts an incident where Freak, at a young age, sought the truth through medical literature.
Freak's Cause of Death
- Dr. Spivak explains that Freak's heart "got too big for his body."
Max's Reaction to Loss
- Following Freak's death, Max isolates himself and misses important events like the funeral.
- He expresses feelings of emptiness, likening himself to a deflated balloon.
Grim's Perspective on Life
- Grim advises Max that life is about quality, not quantity.
- He encourages Max to appreciate having a friend like Freak.
Max's Experience Back at School
- Max returns to school feeling hated and burdened by the sympathy of others.
- He resents being treated as if he were the one who died.
Confrontation with Tony D.
- Upon returning to school, Tony D. expresses regret about Freak's death.
- Max reacts aggressively, warning Tony against feeling sorry for him.
Encounter with Loretta
- During the winter after Freak's death, Max meets Loretta.
- She encourages him to reflect on the meaning of "nothing" in his life.
Creation of the Book
- Max decides to write "Freak the Mighty" in the empty book given to him by Freak.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of the first 25 chapters of 'Freak the Mighty' with this comprehensive review. This quiz covers key characters, events, and themes as narrated by Maxwell. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of the book's content.
