Sing, Unburied, Sing Chapter 1-2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Why do you think the novel starts with the line, 'I like to think I know what death is'?

It establishes an early theme of death and understanding.

What does Jojo mean by saying, 'I want Pop to know I can get bloody'?

He wants to prove his maturity and capability to his grandfather.

How does Jojo want to react to killing the goat?

He doesn't want to have a reaction, but he ends up vomiting.

What unsettles Jojo when he thinks of Kayla and the goat's eye?

He feels a sense of innocence associated with both Kayla and the goat. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author include the scene where the goats bully each other?

To create a parallel with Jojo's parents' volatile relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about Jojo's relationship with his dad Michael?

Jojo calls him 'Michael' rather than 'dad', indicating a lack of closeness. Signup and view all the answers

What does the comparison of 'the memory of Leonie and Michael fighting' to a 'fog on a damp day' signify?

It indicates that the memory follows Jojo and affects him profoundly. Signup and view all the answers

What role do the alliteration and simile play in the sentence about the singing sinking to silence?

They create an atmosphere of uneasiness. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the theme of violence as it relates to Stag.

Stag is portrayed as dead inside, rebellious, and ultimately gets into a fight resulting in violence. Signup and view all the answers

What details illustrate that Parchman was like a prison?

It had trusty shooters and a barbed fence. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Richie.

He is arrogant, eager to impress, mischievous, smug, and sensitive. Signup and view all the answers

How does Jojo's description of his teacher fit into the theme of violence?

The teacher is portrayed as someone who has been abused. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the birthday song paragraph?

It sets a sad, bleak mood and reflects Jojo's unhappiness. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author add details about Leonie's high on page 33?

To reveal her awareness of being a bad mother and her coping mechanisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the reasoning behind Given's name?

It rhymes with 'River', Pop's name; it reflects his parents' circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

How often does Leonie see Given?

Every time she is high. Signup and view all the answers

What does Given do while Leonie is high?

He reaches for her hand and mocks Misty. Signup and view all the answers

What story does Mama tell Leonie when she gets her first period?

She shares how she could hear voices from people during that time. Signup and view all the answers

What do Pop and Leonie argue about?

About picking up Michael with the kids from prison alone. Signup and view all the answers

How did Given die?

He was killed by Michael's cousin after Given beat him in a deer hunting competition. Signup and view all the answers

What does Leonie say when she first sees Given-not-Given?

She says she will quit doing drugs. Signup and view all the answers

How do Michael and Leonie know each other?

Michael took Leonie on a date to apologize for his cousin after they went fishing. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Leonie go up the Kill to Michael's parents? What is Big Joseph's reaction?

To drop off a note about picking up Michael; Big Joseph is hostile and threatens her. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Character Insights

Jojo's desire to prove his strength to Pop highlights his internal struggle between childhood innocence and emerging adulthood.
Jojo’s vomiting after killing the goat illustrates his deep compassion and emotional conflict, showing he is still a child despite attempts to act like an adult.
Jojo’s relationship with his father is distant; he refers to him as “Michael” rather than “dad,” indicating a lack of warmth and connection.

Themes of Innocence and Violence

Jojo's thoughts about Kayla and the goat reflect a juxtaposition of innocence; while Kayla represents hope and safety, the goat's death signifies lost innocence and the harsh realities of life.
The scene of goats bullying each other parallels Jojo's parents' turbulent relationship, marked by love intertwined with violence, indicating a cycle of dysfunction.
Jojo’s teacher's background of abuse fits within the broader theme of violence shaping the characters' lives and memories.

Symbolism and Imagery

The comparison of Leonie and Michael's fighting to "fog in the damp, chilly day" symbolizes a pervasive and inescapable impact on Jojo's psyche, suggesting uncertainty about a happy resolution, similar to fairy tales with dark endings.
Vivid imagery, such as the “trail of tender organ blood” compared to “bread crumbs,” foreshadows that Jojo's journey might lead to entrapment similar to Hansel and Gretel’s fate.

Jojo's emotional state is further articulated through the bleak mood around the birthday song, emphasizing the drastic changes in his life due to family dynamics and loss.
Leonie's drug use reflects her sense of failure as a mother, showcasing her attempts to cope with guilt and existential dread through substance escape.

Family Relationships

The tension between Leonie and Pop concerning Michael’s pick-up reveals relational strains and differing perspectives on family duties.
The incident involving Given’s death highlights a theme of familial tragedy rooted in competition, posing questions about violence and consequences within family ties.

Structure and Development

Jojo’s reverie about his family’s past enriches the narrative, showing how generational history affects current identities and relationships.
Details about Leonie's experiences and choices establish key contrasts between characters’ desires and their realities, enhancing the narrative's emotional complexity.

Key Incidents

Jojo’s affection for his Pop showcases tension between respect and fear, as seen in his eagerness to impress.
Glaring differences emerge between Jojo and his brother Given's fate; Given's untimely death serves as a catalyst for Leonie’s drug dependence and the family’s disintegration.

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Description

Explore key themes and character motivations in the first two chapters of 'Sing, Unburied, Sing'. This quiz will help you analyze Jojo's thoughts and relationships, particularly his desire to prove himself to Pop. Use these flashcards to deepen your understanding of the text's opening lines and character dynamics.