10 Questions
What does the phrase 'The devil ate my words' imply in the context of the text?
The father made a pact with the devil to sell his tongue.
How did the mother react to the father's excuses of 'The devil ate my words'?
She saw through his excuses but pretended to be appeased.
In what way did the father try to make amends with the mother?
Giving her kisses and cajoling her
What did the mother attribute to the discomfort and misery she felt in the summer?
Father's negotiation with the devil
How did the father's relationship with his employer influence his family life?
His employer was alien to want and didn't fulfill promises.
Why did the father stare silently for two days after coming home?
Because he had lost his taste for food and was not hungry.
What did the father tell his mother after the two days of silent staring?
About how the devil had taken away his ability to speak.
What feelings did the narrator have about the disappearance of his father's tongue?
Sadness and a wish to restore his father's speech.
What did the devil supposedly do with the father's tongue according to the text?
Cooked it in a Spanish way with various spices and condiments.
What does the narrator imply when he wishes they could 'prick' back his father's tongue?
That they could restore his father's speech if given the chance.
Read the excerpt about a father who uses the excuse of the devil eating his words to avoid conflict with his wife. Explore the dynamics of the family and the father's behavior in this intriguing story.
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