Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is described as the favorite keeper of the narrator?
Who is described as the favorite keeper of the narrator?
Which activity is NOT associated with Katrina in the passage?
Which activity is NOT associated with Katrina in the passage?
What does Mack not have money for, according to the narrator?
What does Mack not have money for, according to the narrator?
What does the narrator recall most when thinking about caretakers?
What does the narrator recall most when thinking about caretakers?
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Which sensory experience is NOT mentioned in relation to the surroundings?
Which sensory experience is NOT mentioned in relation to the surroundings?
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What does Stella say she is sure about?
What does Stella say she is sure about?
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How does the narrator compare Stella to themselves and Bob?
How does the narrator compare Stella to themselves and Bob?
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What does Stella do during her circus performance?
What does Stella do during her circus performance?
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What happened when the trainer used a claw-stick on the bull elephant?
What happened when the trainer used a claw-stick on the bull elephant?
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What does Stella's trunk allow her to do?
What does Stella's trunk allow her to do?
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What does Stella refer to her past chains as?
What does Stella refer to her past chains as?
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Which statement best describes Stella's foot condition?
Which statement best describes Stella's foot condition?
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What two things do the narrator and Stella both enjoy?
What two things do the narrator and Stella both enjoy?
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What is the main reason Stella does not complain about her condition?
What is the main reason Stella does not complain about her condition?
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What is Mack's attitude towards the animals at the mall?
What is Mack's attitude towards the animals at the mall?
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How much food does a silverback need each day to maintain his health?
How much food does a silverback need each day to maintain his health?
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What does Bob primarily hunt for to eat?
What does Bob primarily hunt for to eat?
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How does Bob feel about having a permanent home?
How does Bob feel about having a permanent home?
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What does Mack give Ivan to draw?
What does Mack give Ivan to draw?
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Which animal did Bob reference as a parasite?
Which animal did Bob reference as a parasite?
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What are the children doing that frustrates Ivan?
What are the children doing that frustrates Ivan?
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How many banana drawings does Ivan make?
How many banana drawings does Ivan make?
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Why does Ivan feel sad about calling the children 'slimy chimps'?
Why does Ivan feel sad about calling the children 'slimy chimps'?
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What does Julia enjoy doing with Ivan?
What does Julia enjoy doing with Ivan?
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What animal does Stella refer to as being in a 'powerful disguise'?
What animal does Stella refer to as being in a 'powerful disguise'?
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What does Bob do to communicate his feelings?
What does Bob do to communicate his feelings?
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How does Ivan perceive his chances of attracting visitors?
How does Ivan perceive his chances of attracting visitors?
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What happens to Sara when she gets sick?
What happens to Sara when she gets sick?
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What does Julia use to engage in her homework activities?
What does Julia use to engage in her homework activities?
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How does Julia feel about Deshawn Williams?
How does Julia feel about Deshawn Williams?
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What is a common theme in Julia's drawings of Bob?
What is a common theme in Julia's drawings of Bob?
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What does Julia's father say when he sees her drawing?
What does Julia's father say when he sees her drawing?
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Why does Bob not let humans touch him?
Why does Bob not let humans touch him?
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What suggestion does Stella give to help with sleeplessness?
What suggestion does Stella give to help with sleeplessness?
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What does George's wife experience?
What does George's wife experience?
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What does Mack do after his conversation with George?
What does Mack do after his conversation with George?
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How does the narrator describe their inability to sleep?
How does the narrator describe their inability to sleep?
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What mood does Julia’s drawing of the little dog convey?
What mood does Julia’s drawing of the little dog convey?
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What does George offer to help Julia with?
What does George offer to help Julia with?
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What is a notable characteristic of Bob in Julia's drawings?
What is a notable characteristic of Bob in Julia's drawings?
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What does Stella recall about memories?
What does Stella recall about memories?
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Why does Julia create a drawing of a flying dog?
Why does Julia create a drawing of a flying dog?
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Study Notes
Gorilla's Life in a Mall
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Stella, the Gorilla: A large, elderly gorilla, older than the narrator, at the Big Top Mall. She has "eyes like black stars" and a vast knowledge.
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Relationship with Narrator: The narrator and Stella often talk at night, despite not having much in common, sharing a love for yogurt raisins. Stella recounts childhood memories of lush forest environments.
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Circus History: Stella previously performed in a circus, exhibiting impressive feats of strength and balance, including standing on hind legs. This involved training by human trainers, using the "claw-stick" as a method of enforcing obedience.
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Physical Condition: Stella has scars from chains ("bracelets") and a limp from a fall during circus performance, and her health can fluctuate, such as the significant swelling in her foot last winter.
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Bob, the Stray Dog: A small, fast, and resourceful stray dog; an intelligent and spirited "wild beast". He lives off food scraps and avoids human contact, and was left without his family due to inhumane human activities.
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Interactions in the Mall: The narrator tries to attract visitors by increasing his food intake; Bob provides valuable insights into the situation and encourages the narrator to rethink his strategy.
Human Interactions and Problems
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Mack, the Mall Owner: The mall owner, is portrayed negatively as unkind, greedy (losing money, wanting to sell the animals), and impatient (responding with aggression to Thelma, a macaw, and to the narrator's plans for increased food intake).
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Visitors: Some visitors, including a boy and a girl, are depicted as causing disturbances due to spitting and throwing pebbles. These children are labeled "slimy chimps" by the narrator.
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Julia: A young girl who regularly visits the narrator and draws pictures of him, Bob, and other creatures in the mall, finding solace in her art. Her father George is helpful in subtle ways, like buying crayons for Julia and helping others.
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Human-Animal Dynamics: The human-animal interactions in the mall are not always positive. There is exploitation (circus performance history) and cruelty (Mack throwing trash, mistreating Thelma) and contrasting kindness (George, Julia).
Narrator's Thoughts and Feelings
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Desire for Change: The narrator isn't happy with his current situation and his domain within the mall, expressing a longing for better interactions and connection.
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Reflection and Emotion: The narrator questions his own behavior, wishing to understand and improve, particularly after Julia's kind interactions and the narrator's feelings about these disturbing events.
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Loneliness & Solitude: The narrator experiences loneliness despite having some interactions with Stella, Bob, and Julia. He grapples with the difference between loneliness and the desire for interaction with various characters.
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Memory and Reflection: The narrator reflects on his past keepers, appreciating their care, and contemplates the concept of memory and how it shapes who they are.
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Description
Explore the life of Stella, an elderly gorilla living in the Big Top Mall. Through her memories and conversations with the narrator, uncover her past as a circus performer and the bond she shares with others like Bob, a stray dog. This quiz delves into themes of captivity, memory, and friendship.
