Podcast
Questions and Answers
What do the soldiers do when they enter the house in 1974?
What do the soldiers do when they enter the house in 1974?
- Search for food and water
- Destroy the family's belongings
- Take the children away
- Look for guns and papers (correct)
What do the children watch during their father's court trials?
What do the children watch during their father's court trials?
- The soldiers arguing with each other
- Their father's defense attorney speaking
- A soldier falsely claiming ownership of a gun (correct)
- A witness recounting the events
What does the girl's S in her name do after she writes it too many times?
What does the girl's S in her name do after she writes it too many times?
- Curls on its side to sleep (correct)
- Turns into a different letter
- Curves downward
- Becomes longer
What aspect of the environment do the children notice when visiting their father?
What aspect of the environment do the children notice when visiting their father?
What activity do the girl and her brother engage in with balloons?
What activity do the girl and her brother engage in with balloons?
What metaphor describes the noise when disaster happens?
What metaphor describes the noise when disaster happens?
What does the girl notice about her mother during the party?
What does the girl notice about her mother during the party?
How do the children feel about the soldiers' presence in their lives?
How do the children feel about the soldiers' presence in their lives?
How does the atmosphere in the apartment change after the mother leaves?
How does the atmosphere in the apartment change after the mother leaves?
What subject does the girl associate with the drawing of a triangle?
What subject does the girl associate with the drawing of a triangle?
What do the soldiers find in the aviary?
What do the soldiers find in the aviary?
What does the girl think when she sees the visitors reading from the red book?
What does the girl think when she sees the visitors reading from the red book?
What does the girl do on weekends at the detention center?
What does the girl do on weekends at the detention center?
What disappoints the girl when she sneaks a look at the visitors' book?
What disappoints the girl when she sneaks a look at the visitors' book?
What event causes a significant change in the father's situation?
What event causes a significant change in the father's situation?
What is the setting of the story in terms of time?
What is the setting of the story in terms of time?
What architectural feature describes the building mentioned?
What architectural feature describes the building mentioned?
Which element is NOT mentioned as part of the housing project?
Which element is NOT mentioned as part of the housing project?
What can be inferred about the people who visit the house?
What can be inferred about the people who visit the house?
How does the girl perceive her visitors?
How does the girl perceive her visitors?
What does the yellow light of the lamp symbolize in the passage?
What does the yellow light of the lamp symbolize in the passage?
What physical characteristic is emphasized about the building from the outside?
What physical characteristic is emphasized about the building from the outside?
What is implied about the lifestyle of the residents in the housing project?
What is implied about the lifestyle of the residents in the housing project?
What is the primary activity that happens for the visitors once inside the house?
What is the primary activity that happens for the visitors once inside the house?
What activity is happening on the television that the girl initially wishes to participate in?
What activity is happening on the television that the girl initially wishes to participate in?
What does the girl wonder about her new uncle who wears dark glasses?
What does the girl wonder about her new uncle who wears dark glasses?
What does the girl's uncle's appearance emphasize about his character?
What does the girl's uncle's appearance emphasize about his character?
What significant event is happening in the living room when the girl observes from under the dining table?
What significant event is happening in the living room when the girl observes from under the dining table?
How does the girl feel about the visitors in her home?
How does the girl feel about the visitors in her home?
What language does the girl hear during the argument among the visitors?
What language does the girl hear during the argument among the visitors?
Which phrase most accurately describes the tone of the visitors' argument?
Which phrase most accurately describes the tone of the visitors' argument?
What does the girl's feeling of needing to keep quiet suggest about her role in the situation?
What does the girl's feeling of needing to keep quiet suggest about her role in the situation?
What recurring theme is depicted in the character's nightmares?
What recurring theme is depicted in the character's nightmares?
What does the character use to make her dream home livable again?
What does the character use to make her dream home livable again?
How does the character perceive the visitors in her dreams as she grows older?
How does the character perceive the visitors in her dreams as she grows older?
What element signifies the change in her perception of time later in her life?
What element signifies the change in her perception of time later in her life?
What does the character curl up over in her dream for comfort?
What does the character curl up over in her dream for comfort?
What does the character believe about the nature of memory and survival?
What does the character believe about the nature of memory and survival?
What feelings does the character have towards middle-aged strangers who speak about her childhood?
What feelings does the character have towards middle-aged strangers who speak about her childhood?
What signifies the change in her living conditions from her childhood to later years?
What signifies the change in her living conditions from her childhood to later years?
Flashcards
Safe House Description
Safe House Description
A seemingly ordinary building, outwardly indistinguishable from others in an exclusive housing project, but known as a safe haven for people needing help
Safe House Purpose
Safe House Purpose
To provide refuge and support to those in need, particularly through providing shelter, care, and resources.
Visitors' Characteristics
Visitors' Characteristics
Visitors arrive discreetly, often one or two at a time; they carry nothing but what's in their heads; needs are met (food, medical), and visitors are discreet.
Child's Perspective (Age)
Child's Perspective (Age)
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Frequent Visitors
Frequent Visitors
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Time Period
Time Period
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Appearance of Visitors
Appearance of Visitors
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Housing Project Features
Housing Project Features
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Girl's Observation
Girl's Observation
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Changin' Home
Changin' Home
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Hidden Red Book
Hidden Red Book
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Father's Arrest
Father's Arrest
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Family Crisis
Family Crisis
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Strange Adult Play
Strange Adult Play
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Mother's Grief
Mother's Grief
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Political Unrest
Political Unrest
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Family Gathering
Family Gathering
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Unusual Uncle
Unusual Uncle
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Hidden Language
Hidden Language
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Suspicious Behavior
Suspicious Behavior
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Political Tension
Political Tension
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President on TV
President on TV
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Family Meeting
Family Meeting
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Child's Perspective
Child's Perspective
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What happens when disaster strikes?
What happens when disaster strikes?
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Why did the girl and her brother move to their grandparents' house?
Why did the girl and her brother move to their grandparents' house?
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What did the soldiers search for in the house?
What did the soldiers search for in the house?
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What happened to the lovebirds in the aviary?
What happened to the lovebirds in the aviary?
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What does the girl's father do?
What does the girl's father do?
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What does the long walk to her father's cell symbolize?
What does the long walk to her father's cell symbolize?
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How does the girl's name signing reflect her situation?
How does the girl's name signing reflect her situation?
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What does the maze symbolize?
What does the maze symbolize?
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What does the girl do to make her home livable again?
What does the girl do to make her home livable again?
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How does the girl remember the visitors?
How does the girl remember the visitors?
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Why does the girl smile back at strangers?
Why does the girl smile back at strangers?
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What is the significance of the little red book?
What is the significance of the little red book?
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What does the new door symbolize?
What does the new door symbolize?
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How has the visitor's face changed over time?
How has the visitor's face changed over time?
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What is the significance of the visitors' names?
What is the significance of the visitors' names?
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How does the girl's perspective on the visitors change?
How does the girl's perspective on the visitors change?
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Study Notes
The Safe House - Summary
- The story is set in a seemingly ordinary building, one of many in a complex, during the noon of a sweltering day.
- The building is a four-story structure with four units per floor, with straightforward grey concrete walls.
- The windows are big, square glass windows that gleam like insect eyes, hinting at the unknown happenings within.
- The complex is designed for middle-class living, with a clubhouse, swimming pool, and tennis court, visible from the street.
- Residents drive luxury cars, and the houses have well-maintained flowering hedges and trees, making them appear cozy
- The building appears identical to other similar buildings in the community, but subtle hints suggest the unique nature of this specific house.
- A curtained window glows with a yellow lamp, and visitors count steps when approaching.
- Those who frequent the house are discreet, but they know which unit to approach and are fed, and treated for injuries.
- The story suggests a place of refuge for those in need; a safe house, to protect people and their secrets, as well as their physical and emotional well-being.
- The narrator is a young girl. A sense of anonymity and secrecy is present.
- The story takes place in the Philippines in the 1980s.
- There are references to the Philippines' history and political climate.
- The Safe House is a place where strangers seek help, and the visitors are not seen as ordinary people.
- Children hide to avoid the adult talk of the house, as well as visitors.
- The adults appear to be involved in something secret.
- The story alludes to possible political unrest, implying danger.
- There's a sense of hidden identities and secrets.
- The focus is on the subtle hints of secrecy and danger and depicts the struggles of individuals within the society and politics.
Key Characters
- There are references to "uncles" and "aunts" as visitors in the house.
- There is a father who has been arrested.
- A mother that has left the house.
- People in the house are referred to as "visitors."
Setting
- The setting is a residential complex in the Philippines.
- The time is 1982 and 1983.
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Description
Test your understanding of 'The Safe House' with this quiz. The story presents an intriguing setting that combines the mundane with elements of secrecy. Explore the clues within the narrative and uncover the unique nature of the building and its residents.
