Questions and Answers
When did the narrator own the jacket that he really didn't like?
He wore it in fifth and sixth grades.
What kind of jacket did the narrator want?
He wanted one like the kind that bikers wear.
How does the narrator describe the color of the jacket?
He said that it was the color of day-old guacamole.
How did the narrator feel when he saw the jacket?
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How do we know that the narrator had his old jacket for a very long time?
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How do we know that the narrator will have this new jacket, the green one, for a very long time?
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What did the dog do to the jacket?
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How did the jacket supposedly affect his grades at school?
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What does the narrator think that the teachers on the playground are talking about?
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How did the jacket affect his love life?
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How long did he have the green jacket for?
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What did the narrator use to fix the hole in the jacket?
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What is the nickname that his brother gives him because of the jacket?
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What does the narrator compare the jacket to at the end of the story?
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What is the theme or main idea of 'The Jacket'?
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What color was the jacket's lining?
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What was the narrator's brother like?
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What did Frankie T., the playground terrorist, do to the narrator?
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What is the narrator's opinion of his mother?
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How did the narrator spend a lot of time during the sixth grade?
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Study Notes
The Jacket Overview
- The narrator disliked the jacket he owned during fifth and sixth grades.
- He desired a biker-style jacket instead of the one he had.
Description of the Jacket
- The jacket was described as the color of day-old guacamole, indicating a dull color.
- Its sleeves were significantly long, reaching halfway to the narrator's elbows, suggesting prolonged ownership.
- The inner lining of the jacket was yellow.
Emotional Impact
- When seeing the jacket, the narrator felt deep sadness, almost to the point of tears.
- He believed the jacket negatively impacted his school performance, resulting in grades of D's and C's.
- The jacket led to feelings of isolation, as the narrator had no girlfriend and spent time alone.
Relationship with Others
- The narrator speculated that teachers were mocking him for his appearance in the jacket.
- His brother teased him by calling him "camouflage," highlighting the jacket’s unappealing nature.
- Frankie T., a bully, pushed the narrator to the ground, emphasizing the social challenges faced.
Jacket's Longevity and Repair
- The narrator eventually wore the green jacket for three years, indicating attachment despite its flaws.
- He repaired a hole in the jacket using tape, illustrating his resourcefulness.
Themes and Conclusions
- The overarching theme focuses on the importance society places on clothing, contrasting with the idea that clothes shouldn't hold significant value.
- At the story's conclusion, the narrator equates the jacket to an ugly brother, showing his conflicted feelings about it.
Additional Context
- The narrator expressed negative views regarding his mother's taste in clothing, describing her as cheap.
- His sixth-grade experience was marked by spending time alone in a tree, indicating a retreat from negative social interactions and feelings of inadequacy.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Gary Soto's 'The Jacket' with this quiz. Answer questions about the narrator's feelings towards his jacket and what he desires instead. Dive into the details of the story's themes and character experiences.