Important!! Please read this note from the author Mildred D.Taylor
All of my books are based on stories told by my family, and on the history of the United States. In my writing I have attempted to be true to those stories and the history. I have included characters, incidents, and language that present life as it was in many parts of the United States before the civil rights movement. Although there are those who wish to ban my books because I have used language that is painful, I have chosen to use the language that was spoken during the period, for I refuse to white-wash history. The language was painful and life was painful for many African- Americans, including my family. I remember the pain. Since writing my first book, Song of the Trees, it has been my wish to have readers walk in the shoes of the Logan family, who are based on my family, and to feel what they felt. It has been my wish that by understanding this family and what they endured there would be a further understanding of why there was a civil rights movement, a movement that changed our nation. - Mildred D. Taylor 2001
Chapter One "Mitchell" section 1 1. Is the story a first or second person narrative? 2. What is the name of the protagonist? 3. What trouble is our protagonist having at the beginning of the story? 4. What advice does his sister Cassie, and his father give him concerning his troubles? 5. Of all his siblings, which is Paul closest to?
Chapter 1 Section 2 1. We learn more about Paul's family in section 2. Who is Paul's father? Who is Paul's mother? Provide detail. 2. Paul has three ethnicities in him. Name them. 3. Did Paul's father treat Paul and his sister Cassie any different from the other children? 4. Take an educated guess at the time setting at the beginning of the story.
Chapter 1 Sections 3 and 4 (three is really short) due Monday, Feb. 23rd, 2015
1. Upon further reflection does Paul realize he should rely on his brothers or himself to solve this "Mitchell" problem.
2. Mitchell gives two reasons why he doesn't like Paul. Explain both reasons and Paul's response to those reasons. (4pt. total)
3. a) Paul and Mitchell strike a deal. Explain the deal. b) After the deal is struck do they decide to become friends?
Chapter 2 "The Stallion" 1. Why are the Logan boys traveling to the Waverly farm in the next county? (1 pt.) 2. How old is Paul and Robert at this stage of the story? (1 pt.) 3. What does Robert have a fear of? What do the Waverly boys do to Robert because he has this fear? (2 pts.) 4. What bet does Robert make with the Waverly boys? (1 pt.) 5. Who wins the bet over the appaloosa? Was it the Waverlys or the logans? (1 pt.) 6. What can you say about the Logan brothers when it comes to how they feel about one another? ( 1 pt.) total: 7 pts.
Chapter 2 section 2 and section 3 (pp. 26-34) due Monday, March 2nd 1. Who will look after Ghost Wind (but not ride him)? 2. Who are the only people allowed to ride Ghost Wind? 3. a) Who does Paul allow to ride Ghost Wind? b) How does the ride go? 4. Who accepts the blame for damaging Ghost Wind? 5. Does Edward Logan believe the person who claims to have ridden Ghost Wind? 6. How does this incident affect the relationship between Paul and Mitchell?
Chapter 3 Family Section 1 1. Mitchell comes to Paul's defense, sort of. What does he tell the four boys who want to fight Paul? 2. Give a reason why the four boys were riled up over Paul in the first place. 3. Why do you think Mitchell is having a difficult time understanding Paul's place in society due to his family tree (genealogy)?
1.Why do Paul and Cassie have to call their daddy "Mister Edward" while the other brothers simply call him daddy? 2.Who was Paul's grandfather on his mother's side? What happened to him? 3.According to Mr.Edward who does he believe will inherit the land? 4.What are Mister Edward's plan for Paul and his education? B)Why did Paul and Robert have two different schools? C)If you didn't answer this in 4a,what trade does Mister Edward have in mind for Paul? D)How does Robert feel about their upcoming education?
Chapter 3 section 3 1. What "Social Rules of the South" affected Paul and Cassie when the rest of the family was socializing? 2. A family member was nasty to Paul and Cassie. Who was it? 3. How did Robert's mother die? 4a. Paul and Hammond have a heart to heart conversation about Paul's mixed race make-up. What is Hammond's response to Paul's question, "Can I sit at your table when I'm older?' 4b. Does Hammond come across as a good guy or not to you?
Ch. 3 sections 4 and 5 (section 5 is VERY short)
1. Paul's mother loses her temper with Paul over his disrespect. What does she do to Paul? 2. Why does Paul remember this incident vividly? 3. a) Paul's father is about to do the same in section 5. How have times changed concerning the disciplining of children over the span of 150 years? 3b)Is this change in discipline a cultural (by ethnicity) view or a global view? Ch. 3 Section 6 1. Who comes to see Paul to try to help him through his depression about his genealogy? 2. What does Paul learn about this person (in #1) and the way they were treated in Atlanta, Georgia? 3. Who is Howard Milhouse and what is his relationship to Paul? 4. Mama brings out a box of treasures to show Cassie and Paul. Mama never opens it, even after describing its contents and explaining who will get what. Opinion question: Why doesn't she open the box and distribute the heirlooms?