Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why did Tony help Uncle Charlie get into his blue pajamas?
Why did Tony help Uncle Charlie get into his blue pajamas?
What was Uncle Charlie reading when he fell asleep?
What was Uncle Charlie reading when he fell asleep?
What did Uncle Charlie say about the number seven?
What did Uncle Charlie say about the number seven?
What was the atmosphere like during the burial service?
What was the atmosphere like during the burial service?
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What did Uncle Charlie want Tony to do when he passed away?
What did Uncle Charlie want Tony to do when he passed away?
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What was Uncle Charlie's motivation for wanting to move to San Francisco?
What was Uncle Charlie's motivation for wanting to move to San Francisco?
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What was the initial obstacle in Tony's way to attending the Penda School?
What was the initial obstacle in Tony's way to attending the Penda School?
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What did Tony's parents do after Uncle Charlie became ill?
What did Tony's parents do after Uncle Charlie became ill?
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What did Uncle Charlie say was special about the Penda School?
What did Uncle Charlie say was special about the Penda School?
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What was Tony's initial reaction to the possibility of moving to San Francisco?
What was Tony's initial reaction to the possibility of moving to San Francisco?
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Study Notes
The Story of Tony and Uncle Charlie
- Tony's Uncle Charlie comes to live with them and suggests they move to San Francisco, where he grew up.
- Uncle Charlie wants Tony to attend the Penda School, a private K-8 school he attended as a child.
- Tony's parents, who are bored with their jobs, consider moving to San Francisco for better opportunities.
- After a while, they announce that they have landed new jobs in San Francisco and will move in early October.
The Penda School and Uncle Charlie's Intentions
- The Penda School is full, but Tony is wait-listed in case a spot becomes available.
- Uncle Charlie wants Tony to attend the Penda School because it's "full of life" and he wants to get to know Tony better.
- Tony is unsure what Uncle Charlie means by "full of life" and wonders if he's referring to this life or the next.
Uncle Charlie's Illness and Death
- Two weeks after deciding to move to San Francisco, Uncle Charlie becomes ill with fever, weakness, and numbness in his hands.
- Tony takes care of Uncle Charlie, measuring out his meds, doing his errands, and feeding him.
- One night, Uncle Charlie tells Tony that he's going to die and asks Tony to join him on the "other side".
- Uncle Charlie dies, and Tony is left alone and scared.
The Funeral and Aftermath
- The funeral service is held in a funeral parlor with fake wood-paneled walls and piped-in music.
- The air is hot and humid, and the atmosphere is uncomfortable.
- Tony sees Uncle Charlie in an open casket, looking like a wax doll with rouged cheeks.
- Uncle Charlie is buried in a local cemetery, and Tony feels a part of him has been buried too.
- Tony is left feeling abandoned and lost after Uncle Charlie's death.
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Description
A story about a boy named Tony and his experiences with his uncle Charlie, who has an idea to move to San Francisco for a better education.
