40 Questions
What is Skee holding when he asks 'What the hell is it?'
A coyote
What is the price of each stone turtle, according to the father?
A hundred and fifty bucks
Why does Skee say the coyote won't work as a lure?
Because it's not a lure
What is the special of the day, according to the food described?
Fried chicken and potatoes with lumps
What is the secret to good fried chicken, according to the father?
The amount of salt used
What is Deardorf's expectation for his kid's future career?
Accountant
What advice does Skee give to avoid disappointment?
Aim low
What is Skee reading when he comes out of the kitchen?
A men's magazine
What is the origin of the river?
The mountains
What is the relationship between Truth and Bright Water?
They are two towns on opposite sides of the river
What happens to the river as it leaves the foothills and snakes across the belly of the prairies?
It becomes wider and deeper
What is the characteristic of the Shield above the two towns?
It is fat and lazy
What happens to the river as it comes around the Horns?
It narrows and drops into the deep chutes beneath the bridge
What is the characteristic of the river below the old church?
It is dark and swift
What is the shape of the bridge between Truth and Bright Water?
A delicate and precise curve
What happens to the river towards Prairie View?
It slows and drains away towards the morning sun
What is the atmosphere like in the river valley during the day?
Bright and dry
What can be seen flying in the air during the day?
Seagulls
What is the behavior of the pelicans in the river?
They skim the face of the river, single file
What happens to the light at night?
It goes to ground
What is the atmosphere like beneath the bridge?
Sharp and windy
What is Lum's physical appearance like after his run?
His skin is glistening with sweat
How does Lum's body move while he runs?
He takes long, gliding strides
What is the condition of Lum's eye after his run?
It is purple and yellow and doesn't look as if it hurts too much
What is the narrator's first observation when looking at the church?
That it has no door
What is the narrator's initial reaction when they see the Cousins?
They become unnerved
Why does the narrator crack their shin?
Because they trip on the steps
What happens to the Cousins after the narrator hits their shin?
They disappear
What does the narrator do when they enter the church?
They close their eyes to adjust to the darkness
What is unusual about the door the narrator finds?
It is hanging in mid-air
What does the narrator hear when they are walking around the church?
Soldier barking
What does the narrator initially notice about the church's windows?
They are present
What is the narrator's guess about the identity of the old guy in the figures?
God
What is Monroe's priority before winter?
Getting the outside of the church ready
What is the material of the buffalo statue?
Paper mâché
What is the purpose of the bentwood box?
Storing things
Where did Monroe buy the bentwood box?
Vancouver
What is the significance of the silence in the church?
It's a sign of contemplation
What is Monroe's job offer to the narrator?
Helping him with various tasks
What is the narrator's impression of the buffalo statue?
It's neat
Study Notes
Setting and Location
- The story takes place in two towns: Truth and Bright Water, situated on opposite sides of a river that divides the American and Canadian borders.
Protagonist and Characters
- The protagonist is a 13-year-old boy who is the narrator of the story.
- Lum is a character who is athletic and runner, and the protagonist times him with a stopwatch.
- Soldier is a dog that accompanies the protagonist.
- Skee is a character who is friends with the protagonist's father.
- The protagonist's father is an entrepreneur who sells unusual items, including stone turtles and coyotes.
Plot Points
- The protagonist and Lum run together, and the protagonist times Lum's run.
- The protagonist's father tries to sell coyotes and stone turtles to Skee.
- The protagonist visits an old church, which seems abandoned but has an open door hanging in mid-air.
- Inside the church, the protagonist meets Monroe, an artist who is renovating the church.
Themes and Symbolism
- The river and the bridge between Truth and Bright Water serve as a symbol of connection and division.
- The old church, with its mysterious door and lack of altar, may represent spiritual or mystical themes.
Supporting Details
- The Shield refers to the Canadian Shield, a geological region of Canada.
- The Horns likely refer to a specific geographical feature near the towns.
- Prairie View is mentioned as a location, possibly a nearby town or area.
- Coulees are a type of geological formation common in the prairies.
- The story mentions specific animal species, including seagulls, pelicans, bats, and coyotes.
A literary quiz on Thomas King's novel Truth & Bright Water. Test your understanding of the book's plot, characters, and themes.
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