'The Jacket' by Gary Soto Quiz & Flashcards

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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?

He was so sad that he wanted to cry. Signup and view all the answers

How do we know that the narrator had his old jacket for a very long time?

He said that its sleeves climbed halfway to his elbows. Signup and view all the answers

How do we know that the narrator will have this new jacket, the green one, for a very long time?

The coat was very big on him when he first got it. Signup and view all the answers

What did the dog do to the jacket?

It tore a hole in it. Signup and view all the answers

How did the jacket supposedly affect his grades at school?

He started getting D's and C's on his quizzes. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator think that the teachers on the playground are talking about?

He thought that they were discussing how foolish he looked in his new jacket. Signup and view all the answers

How did the jacket affect his love life?

He didn't have a girlfriend and spent a lot of time alone. Signup and view all the answers

How long did he have the green jacket for?

He wore it for three years. Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator use to fix the hole in the jacket?

He repaired it with tape. Signup and view all the answers

What is the nickname that his brother gives him because of the jacket?

He called him 'camouflage.' Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator compare the jacket to at the end of the story?

He said that it was like an ugly brother. Signup and view all the answers

What is the theme or main idea of 'The Jacket'?

Clothes shouldn't be important, but sometimes they are. Signup and view all the answers

What color was the jacket's lining?

It was yellow on the inside. Signup and view all the answers

What was the narrator's brother like?

He was mean. Signup and view all the answers

What did Frankie T., the playground terrorist, do to the narrator?

He pushed the narrator to the ground and told him to stay there. Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrator's opinion of his mother?

He thinks that she is cheap and has bad taste. Signup and view all the answers

How did the narrator spend a lot of time during the sixth grade?

He spent a lot of time sitting in a tree in an alley. Signup and view all the answers

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.