Understanding Characters in 'School of Misery'

Study Notes

Characters and Setting

Max is the main character
Max's parents are Michael and Elizabeth How-Weird
Max's sister is Claire How-Weird
Inspector Fontaine is interviewing Max
Madame Pauline is also present in the interview
Setting is in a house in Brussels
Interview takes place on a rainy day
Max's class is at the School of Misery

Interview Discussion

Inspector Fontaine and Madame Pauline discuss the presence of immigrants, specifically Muslims
They express concerns about safety and cultural differences
Immigrants, including the Syrians, Iraqis, and Afghans, are seen as a threat.
Europe's safety is linked to the arrival of these groups.
Inspector Fontaine worries about the possibility of terrorism.

Family and Class

Max's mother drops him off at school
Mothers in Max's class are described as having different dress styles (work suits vs. headscarves)
Relationships among the different groups of mothers are characterized by politeness.
A classmate, Farah, is seen as being nice.
Farah's mother's behavior is mentioned as being considered one of those considered 'nicer' in the class setting
Max is confused about where students should put their lunches
Madame Pauline talks about Muslims 'flooding' Europe and it is worse than the Africans.

Further Observations

Inspector Fontaine examines the environment of the house.
Inspectors eyes move to the wood paneling, chandeliers, and picture window.
Teddy Roosevelt, Max's cat, panicked and ran into a hallway.
The interview may include the topic of the cat.

Description

This quiz explores the key characters and their relationships in the narrative set in Brussels. Focus on Max, his family, and the interactions during the inspector's interview. Analyze cultural themes to understand the perspectives presented.