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Questions and Answers
What event triggers the decision relating to the separation of Richard and Joan?
Richard was eager to leave for a new life after the completion of the tennis court.
False
What was the nature of the transformation observed by the Maples during the home improvement project?
festive
Richard found the barren tennis court environment congruous with his mood of purposeful ________.
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What did John do with the matches instead of lighting his cigarette?
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Who broke the cigarette in two and chewed on it?
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Richard suggested that they 'think about getting John transferred' because life's too short to be ___.
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Richard felt immense relief when the party continued without him.
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Match the following emotions with the corresponding characters:
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What was the concern about the radio keeping someone awake?
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What did the son respond when asked if he was sleepy?
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What had the son learned for the first time while away at school this winter?
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Richard was the first of the four children to go to bed during adolescence.
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What crucial word did the son whisper to his father?
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What question did Richard's son ask him?
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What did Richard's son do after embracing him?
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Richard's son was calm and composed during the emotional moment.
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Why did Joan and Richard plan to wait a few days to tell Judith about their separation?
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Richard had hoped the day of their separation would never come.
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Richard found the barren tennis court ______ with his mood of purposeful desolation.
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What was the reason behind Richard's tears during the dinner?
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What did John do with the matches instead of lighting his cigarette?
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Richard and Joan decided to divorce legally immediately.
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What did Richard hope to do by meeting Dickie at the train station?
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John broke the cigarette in two and put the halves entirely into his mouth and ____, sticking out his tongue to display the shreds to his sister.
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Study Notes
The Story Background
- The story is about the separation of a couple, Richard and Joan, and its impact on their four children.
- The story is set in the summer, and the couple's children have just returned from their respective commitments (e.g., school, England).
Richard's Emotional State
- Richard is emotional and struggles to come to terms with the separation.
- He is affected by the thought of telling his children about the separation.
- He is observed crying multiple times throughout the story.
The Family Gathering
- The family gathers for a dinner to celebrate Judith's return from England.
- Richard and Joan have planned to tell the children about the separation after the dinner.
- Judith shares stories about her experiences in England, which Richard finds difficult to listen to.
- The family tension is evident during the dinner.
Telling the Children
- Richard and Joan tell the children about the separation, citing the need for space and time to think.
- The children react differently, with John expressing anger and sadness, Bean being relieved, and Judith being more mature about the situation.
- Richard's emotional state is exacerbated by the conversation.
The Aftermath
- The family dynamic changes after the announcement, with Richard and Joan taking on different roles.
- Richard reflects on his relationship with his children and realizes he has been selfish and blind to their struggles.
- He has a heart-to-heart with John, who is unhappy with his school and feels like he doesn't fit in.
The End of the Story
-
Richard and Joan discuss the separation, with Richard expressing regret and guilt.
-
Joan encourages Richard to talk to his son Dickie, who is returning from a concert.
-
Richard picks up Dickie from the train station and is grateful for the delay in talking to him about the separation.### Family Conversation
-
Richard is driving his son, Dickie, home from a friend's house and mentions that he and Dickie's mother have some news to share.
-
Dickie is suffering from hay fever and Richard suggests using eye drops, but Dickie reminds him that they didn't work last summer.
The News
- Richard breaks the news to Dickie that he and his mother are separating for the summer, but emphasizes that it's not a divorce and they want to see how it feels.
- Dickie is surprised and asks if the others know, and Richard explains that they do and have reacted differently (the girls calmly, John with upset).
Emotions and Reactions
- Richard is emotional and relieved to have shared the news, feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders.
- Dickie is stunned and doesn't know how to react, but eventually opens up and asks "Why?" - a question Richard can't answer.
Family Dynamics
- Richard and Dickie have a close relationship, and Richard is proud of the person Dickie is becoming.
- Dickie's mother, Joan, is shown to be concerned and involved in the conversation, but not as emotionally invested as Richard.
Symbolism
- The mountain in Richard's throat represents his emotional burden and the difficulty of sharing the news with Dickie.
- The light on in the woman's bedroom across the green represents Richard's hope for a new life and potential marriage.
The Story Background
- The story is about the separation of a couple, Richard and Joan, and its impact on their four children.
- The story is set in the summer, and the couple's children have just returned from their respective commitments (e.g., school, England).
Richard's Emotional State
- Richard is emotional and struggles to come to terms with the separation.
- He is affected by the thought of telling his children about the separation.
- He is observed crying multiple times throughout the story.
The Family Gathering
- The family gathers for a dinner to celebrate Judith's return from England.
- Richard and Joan have planned to tell the children about the separation after the dinner.
- Judith shares stories about her experiences in England, which Richard finds difficult to listen to.
- The family tension is evident during the dinner.
Telling the Children
- Richard and Joan tell the children about the separation, citing the need for space and time to think.
- The children react differently, with John expressing anger and sadness, Bean being relieved, and Judith being more mature about the situation.
- Richard's emotional state is exacerbated by the conversation.
The Aftermath
- The family dynamic changes after the announcement, with Richard and Joan taking on different roles.
- Richard reflects on his relationship with his children and realizes he has been selfish and blind to their struggles.
- He has a heart-to-heart with John, who is unhappy with his school and feels like he doesn't fit in.
The End of the Story
-
Richard and Joan discuss the separation, with Richard expressing regret and guilt.
-
Joan encourages Richard to talk to his son Dickie, who is returning from a concert.
-
Richard picks up Dickie from the train station and is grateful for the delay in talking to him about the separation.### Family Conversation
-
Richard is driving his son, Dickie, home from a friend's house and mentions that he and Dickie's mother have some news to share.
-
Dickie is suffering from hay fever and Richard suggests using eye drops, but Dickie reminds him that they didn't work last summer.
The News
- Richard breaks the news to Dickie that he and his mother are separating for the summer, but emphasizes that it's not a divorce and they want to see how it feels.
- Dickie is surprised and asks if the others know, and Richard explains that they do and have reacted differently (the girls calmly, John with upset).
Emotions and Reactions
- Richard is emotional and relieved to have shared the news, feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders.
- Dickie is stunned and doesn't know how to react, but eventually opens up and asks "Why?" - a question Richard can't answer.
Family Dynamics
- Richard and Dickie have a close relationship, and Richard is proud of the person Dickie is becoming.
- Dickie's mother, Joan, is shown to be concerned and involved in the conversation, but not as emotionally invested as Richard.
Symbolism
- The mountain in Richard's throat represents his emotional burden and the difficulty of sharing the news with Dickie.
- The light on in the woman's bedroom across the green represents Richard's hope for a new life and potential marriage.
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Description
This quiz is based on the short story 'Separating' by John Updike, which explores the themes of family, relationships, and identity. The story follows the Maples, a family dealing with internal struggles and change.
