Spoil the Child (1938) Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What emotion does the narrator primarily experience while harnessing the mules?

  • Joy
  • Pain (correct)
  • Fear
  • Relief

How does the narrator feel about Maude's presence during their time on the prairie?

  • Indifferent
  • Dismissive
  • Annoyed
  • Reassured (correct)

What does the narrator think about as they drive on through the night?

  • Future adventures
  • Nothing at all (correct)
  • Their lost family member
  • The surrounding landscape

What significant action does the narrator take after discovering the rifle?

<p>Keeps it under the seat (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the curtains down on the wagon symbolize for the narrator?

<p>Isolation and fear (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator describe the prairie at night?

<p>Black and silver (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrator's attitude towards the task of driving the wagon?

<p>Determined and focused (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the whimpering sound inside the wagon signify for the narrator?

<p>A child in distress (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What prompted the narrator to remain still and hidden near the wagon?

<p>The fear of being seen by the Indians (A), The sound of horses approaching (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which action did the narrator take when they realized the men were cutting loose the mules?

<p>Fired at one of the men (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the narrator react to the recoil of the carbine after firing?

<p>They felt sharp pain in their shoulder (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator instruct Maude to do after firing the shot?

<p>Get back in the wagon (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the state of the Indian after being shot by the narrator?

<p>He fell to the ground, lifeless (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What emotional response did Maude have upon seeing the Indian's body?

<p>She screamed in horror (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What thought crossed the narrator's mind when they saw the Indians?

<p>To warn Maude and their mother (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What condition is the narrator's mother in during the unfolding events?

<p>She is groaning (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the narrator's relationship with Maude?

<p>The narrator feels responsible for Maude's safety. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator's emotional state affect their ability to pray?

<p>The narrator is troubled and cannot pray aloud. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the environment play in the narrator's feelings?

<p>The cold and darkness contribute to their fear and anxiety. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator's action of hugging the carbine signify?

<p>A symbol of kinship to their pa and a source of comfort. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator's inability to sleep suggest about their psychological state?

<p>They are alert and hyper-aware of their surroundings. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Maude's reaction to sleeping inside reveal about her character?

<p>She is vulnerable and affected by fear. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator's choice to lie down under the wagon illustrate their mindset?

<p>They are searching for comfort amidst turmoil. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the narrator mentioning the grocery supplies?

<p>It indicates the family's impending crisis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Deadly Encounter

A violent confrontation between a narrator and Native Americans.

Native American Raiders

Indians who were targeting and attacking a person.

Self-Defense

The act of defending oneself when endangered.

Prairie Setting

The open, flat landscape where the event took place.

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Hidden in wagon

The narrator's concealment from the approaching Native Americans.

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Carbine

A type of rifle used by the narrator.

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Narrative Voice

The first-person perspective describing the events of the story from the narrator's point of view.

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Emotional Distress

The narrator's and other characters' emotional pain and fear during the event.

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Mother and Sister

The narrator's distressed family members involved in the confrontation.

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Killing

The act of taking a man's life, a key action in the story.

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Night on the Prairie

The setting of a dangerous and tense situation.

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Character's Action

The character reacted to a situation by getting their sister to go into the wagon and then cried and hid under the wagon.

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Wagon Journey

The character started a journey in a wagon with their sister, looking for water.

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Emotional Changes

The young protagonist experienced substantial emotional shifts related to the arduous journey and the perceived threat.

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Mules and Whip

The character used a whip to control the mules during the journey and to move them to their goal of securing water.

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Sister's Reactions

Maude's reactions are described as both a response to the situation and a show of closeness with her brother

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Wagon Stop

The wagon stopped just as the sun was rising, ending the character's hard journey.

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Child's fear of the night

Maude's reluctance to stay alone with the sick mother in the wagon, highlighting her young age and fear of the dark.

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Empty food supplies

The narrator knows the food supplies are low, but still hopes they are enough.

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Narrator's responsibility

The narrator feels a sense of duty and responsibility to protect his family, despite his age and vulnerability.

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Nighttime on the Prairie

The setting. A time of darkness, uncertainty, and potential danger on the prairie, with the sounds of wild animals.

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Fear and vulnerability

The narrator and sister experience feelings of fear and vulnerability, affecting their actions and choices during the night on the prairie.

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Difficulty sleeping

The narrator struggles to sleep due to fear, worry, and the harsh realities of the situation.

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Importance of the carbine

The carbine represents a connection to the father and a source of comfort and protection in the absence of adult support.

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Study Notes

Spoil the Child (1938) by Howard Fast

  • The narrator, a young boy, tries to ride a mule, and is punished by his mother.
  • The boy's father left early in the morning, going out hunting.
  • The mother was ill and tired-looking.
  • The boy's sister, Maude, was present and witnessed the events.
  • The mother scolded the boy, and slapped him, for touching the mules.
  • The father was absent for an extensive period of time, leaving the mother and children alone.
  • The boy's mother was concerned about his father's perceived laziness.
  • The mother wanted the boy to behave himself and stay away from the mules.
  • The boy was considered a troubled child by his mother, with a troublesome personality.
  • The boy recounts an event where he was punished for trying to ride a mule.
  • The boy's mother was worried about their financial situation.
  • The family was living in a harsh, rural environment.
  • The family moved from place to place, suggestive of a nomadic lifestyle.
  • The text portrays a difficult relationship between the narrator and his mother.
  • The text reveals a strained relationship and possible emotional trauma for the child.

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Spoil the Child (1938) PDF

Description

Test your knowledge about Howard Fast's 'Spoil the Child'. This quiz covers the themes of familial relationships, poverty, and the challenges faced by a young boy in a harsh rural environment. Explore how the dynamics between the boy and his parents shape the narrative and impact his upbringing.

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