Podcast
Questions and Answers
Explain why the secretary to the principal seemed so nervous.
Explain why the secretary to the principal seemed so nervous.
She didn't want to offend Reuben.
Why did the principal 'flush' and become embarrassed?
Why did the principal 'flush' and become embarrassed?
Didn't want to offend Reuben by saying: 'Face to face'.
What did Reuben mean when he said, 'The students are always easy, Anne. This is the difficult moment. Always'?
What did Reuben mean when he said, 'The students are always easy, Anne. This is the difficult moment. Always'?
Students get past one's appearance and are honest, and adults aren't.
What tone did Reuben use while speaking with the principal?
What tone did Reuben use while speaking with the principal?
Summarize how Mr. Louis Tartaglia took control of a new class.
Summarize how Mr. Louis Tartaglia took control of a new class.
What is the setting of this chapter?
What is the setting of this chapter?
Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'The trees were different; the sky did not say winter as it had when he'd started the long drive from Cincinnati.'?
Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'The trees were different; the sky did not say winter as it had when he'd started the long drive from Cincinnati.'?
Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'And he'd grown tired of feeling like a stranger.'?
Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'And he'd grown tired of feeling like a stranger.'?
Summarize the lesson Reuben taught on the first day.
Summarize the lesson Reuben taught on the first day.
Why did a student ask Reuben if he was a pirate?
Why did a student ask Reuben if he was a pirate?
What did Trevor ask Reuben after class?
What did Trevor ask Reuben after class?
Why does Reuben like to talk about his disability?
Why does Reuben like to talk about his disability?
Summarize Reuben's injuries.
Summarize Reuben's injuries.
What 'test' did Trevor pass?
What 'test' did Trevor pass?
What is the point of view of this novel?
What is the point of view of this novel?
Describe the extra credit assignment.
Describe the extra credit assignment.
What is the first part of the assignment?
What is the first part of the assignment?
How does Trevor feel about the assignment?
How does Trevor feel about the assignment?
Why did Arlene almost scream when she saw Jerry?
Why did Arlene almost scream when she saw Jerry?
Which figurative language device is being used with 'hunkered down'?
Which figurative language device is being used with 'hunkered down'?
Why didn't Arlene remember giving permission about Jerry?
Why didn't Arlene remember giving permission about Jerry?
What did Arlene mean when she said his judgment needed a 'tune-up'?
What did Arlene mean when she said his judgment needed a 'tune-up'?
What is ironic about Arlene using the words 'tune-up'?
What is ironic about Arlene using the words 'tune-up'?
What wrong idea did Arlene get when she drove into her driveway?
What wrong idea did Arlene get when she drove into her driveway?
What is Jerry doing to the truck?
What is Jerry doing to the truck?
What kind of irony is Arlene using when she says, 'So you're just trying to help me out'?
What kind of irony is Arlene using when she says, 'So you're just trying to help me out'?
Why does Jerry have to work on the car at night?
Why does Jerry have to work on the car at night?
Explain why Jerry cannot pay the money back to Trevor.
Explain why Jerry cannot pay the money back to Trevor.
In what way did the boys play around with Arlene's words about the house?
In what way did the boys play around with Arlene's words about the house?
Why didn't Arlene tell Mr. St. Clair off?
Why didn't Arlene tell Mr. St. Clair off?
Where did the term 'pay it forward' come from?
Where did the term 'pay it forward' come from?
Summarize the advice from Mr. St. Clair to Arlene.
Summarize the advice from Mr. St. Clair to Arlene.
Why did Mr. St. Clair think Trevor's father was dead?
Why did Mr. St. Clair think Trevor's father was dead?
What does 'euphemistic' mean?
What does 'euphemistic' mean?
What is Trevor concerned about with the idea?
What is Trevor concerned about with the idea?
What comparisons did Trevor make with Jerry and his father?
What comparisons did Trevor make with Jerry and his father?
What is the main conflict of the novel?
What is the main conflict of the novel?
What question did Trevor ask Reuben and how did it make him feel?
What question did Trevor ask Reuben and how did it make him feel?
How are Trevor's and Mary Anne Telmin's assignments different?
How are Trevor's and Mary Anne Telmin's assignments different?
What motive does Arlene have behind asking Reuben to dinner, according to Trevor?
What motive does Arlene have behind asking Reuben to dinner, according to Trevor?
What did Reuben envy about Arlene?
What did Reuben envy about Arlene?
What misconception did Arlene have?
What misconception did Arlene have?
What does 'dismissive' mean?
What does 'dismissive' mean?
What wrong idea did Arlene get from Reuben?
What wrong idea did Arlene get from Reuben?
How did Trevor explain the project to his mother?
How did Trevor explain the project to his mother?
What happened with Jerry?
What happened with Jerry?
What happens at the end of Trevor's project?
What happens at the end of Trevor's project?
What does Trevor hope will happen with Mr. St. Clair if the project works?
What does Trevor hope will happen with Mr. St. Clair if the project works?
What do you suppose Trevor meant when he said, 'A garden holds still for all that orchestra stuff'?
What do you suppose Trevor meant when he said, 'A garden holds still for all that orchestra stuff'?
What happened to Mrs. Greenberg's husband?
What happened to Mrs. Greenberg's husband?
Explain how a miracle came true for Mrs. Greenberg.
Explain how a miracle came true for Mrs. Greenberg.
Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'the junction at which rosebushes begged to be trimmed and aphids to be sprayed'?
Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'the junction at which rosebushes begged to be trimmed and aphids to be sprayed'?
How has the garden affected Mrs. Greenberg?
How has the garden affected Mrs. Greenberg?
What does Richard want from his mother?
What does Richard want from his mother?
How is paying it forward different from random acts of kindness?
How is paying it forward different from random acts of kindness?
How did Mrs. Greenberg make Trevor feel better?
How did Mrs. Greenberg make Trevor feel better?
How long did it take to fix the garden?
How long did it take to fix the garden?
What other help did Trevor offer Mrs. Greenberg?
What other help did Trevor offer Mrs. Greenberg?
Who are the three people Mrs. Greenberg is going to pay forward?
Who are the three people Mrs. Greenberg is going to pay forward?
Explain the ominous ending to this chapter.
Explain the ominous ending to this chapter.
Describe how Mr. St. Clair makes Arlene feel.
Describe how Mr. St. Clair makes Arlene feel.
Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'It hit her in the stomach like a fastball, something she could really feel, to know that he had'?
Which figurative language device is being used in the statement, 'It hit her in the stomach like a fastball, something she could really feel, to know that he had'?
Why do you suppose Mr. St. Clair's name was scratched out of Trevor's circle?
Why do you suppose Mr. St. Clair's name was scratched out of Trevor's circle?
Explain why Trevor likes Mr. St. Clair so much.
Explain why Trevor likes Mr. St. Clair so much.
What excuse did Arlene give Trevor for not liking Mr. St. Clair?
What excuse did Arlene give Trevor for not liking Mr. St. Clair?
What did Arlene promise to do to make it up to Trevor?
What did Arlene promise to do to make it up to Trevor?
Where is Jerry?
Where is Jerry?
Summarize Arlene's letter to Jerry.
Summarize Arlene's letter to Jerry.
Summarize the tone of Trevor's note to Jerry.
Summarize the tone of Trevor's note to Jerry.
What new information was provided in Trevor's diary?
What new information was provided in Trevor's diary?
What did Trevor mean when he said, 'Even this way it's still sad'?
What did Trevor mean when he said, 'Even this way it's still sad'?
Why do you suppose that after three months Reuben still hasn't unpacked?
Why do you suppose that after three months Reuben still hasn't unpacked?
Summarize what happened to Trevor concerning Mrs. Greenberg's death.
Summarize what happened to Trevor concerning Mrs. Greenberg's death.
What did he mean when Reuben said it hurt to watch Trevor lose his 'idealism'?
What did he mean when Reuben said it hurt to watch Trevor lose his 'idealism'?
According to Reuben, what assumptions did he and Arlene make about each other?
According to Reuben, what assumptions did he and Arlene make about each other?
Why did Arlene feel insulted?
Why did Arlene feel insulted?
What did the narrator mean when she said Arlene 'reflected a pleasant expectance'?
What did the narrator mean when she said Arlene 'reflected a pleasant expectance'?
How did Reuben respond when Arlene asked him to dinner again?
How did Reuben respond when Arlene asked him to dinner again?
What is unusual about the way Reuben is acting?
What is unusual about the way Reuben is acting?
Where did Reuben and Arlene meet again?
Where did Reuben and Arlene meet again?
Which two characters came back into the picture?
Which two characters came back into the picture?
What is Reuben's 'problem' according to Arlene?
What is Reuben's 'problem' according to Arlene?
How do you suppose Reuben really feels about going to the movie with Arlene?
How do you suppose Reuben really feels about going to the movie with Arlene?
Study Notes
Character Dynamics and Motivations
- The secretary to the principal feels nervous due to her concern about potentially offending Reuben.
- Principal turns flushed and embarrassed when discussing physical appearance, indicating sensitivity around Reuben's situation.
- Reuben finds students more authentic than adults, who often mask their true feelings.
Teaching Approach and Classroom Environment
- Mr. Louis Tartaglia establishes authority by breaking a yardstick and thanking students for their attention.
- The setting is a middle school in Atascadero, California, which serves as the backdrop for the unfolding events.
- Reuben emphasizes honesty and encourages students to be truthful about their observations.
Literary Devices and Figurative Language
- Personification is evident when describing trees and sky to convey emotional tones.
- Similes are used to express feelings of alienation and the sensation of being a stranger in one's own life.
- Idioms and figurative language enhance the narrative and reflect the characters' thoughts and emotions.
Themes of Disability and Acceptance
- Reuben openly discusses his disability, challenging the silence that surrounds it and fostering understanding among his students.
- His injuries, resulting from a traumatic incident, include significant physical and sensory impairments, influencing his interactions.
Conflict and Project Development
- Trevor initiates a "Pay It Forward" project as part of his extra credit assignment, which aims to inspire kindness and social impact.
- The assignment involves brainstorming world-changing ideas, showcasing Trevor's ambition and confidence.
- Trevor worries about the feasibility and potential failure of his project.
Family Dynamics and Relationships
- Arlene's dynamics with Trevor and Jerry create tension, especially regarding permission and decision-making in their lives.
- Misunderstandings arise between Arlene and Reuben, particularly regarding perceptions of character and suitability.
Symbolism and Impact of Kindness
- Mrs. Greenberg’s garden serves as a symbol of renewal and potential impact on her life, leading her to express her gratitude through her own acts of kindness.
- Trevor’s actions elicit a chain reaction of goodwill, reinforcing the core message of "Pay It Forward."
Emotional Reactions and Internal Struggles
- Trevor experiences confusion and sadness as he navigates relationships, particularly with his mother and the aftermath of Jerry's situation.
- Reuben grapples with feelings of idealism loss while observing Trevor's struggles, impacting his emotional state.
Community and Social Connections
- The interactions between characters like Mrs. Greenberg and Trevor serve to reinforce community ties and the importance of support systems.
- Relationships are tested by circumstances, leading to moments of reflection on assumptions and judgments made about one another.
Resolutions and Future Implications
- Arlene's misunderstanding about Reuben's intentions leads to growth and eventual openness to reconnecting.
- The novel's central conflict revolves around whether Trevor's vision for societal change through kindness will be realized, culminating in hopes for a better future.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of the first ten chapters of 'Pay It Forward' with this study guide flashcards. Explore key moments and character interactions to enhance your understanding of the narrative. Perfect for students looking to review important themes and details from the book.
