Chapter 1
1. Page 1, paragraph 1: What can you infer about Henry Smith from the setting and tone of
this first paragraph?
2. Page 1, paragraph 1: Why do you think Trouble is capitalized?
3. Page 2: Describe Henry’s community. What type of people do you think live there? (See
also page 4, paragraph 3)
4. Page 3, paragraph 2: What do you know about rugby and rowing crew? What type of
people are involved in these sports, and what does it say about the community?
5. Page 4: Where can you see foreshadowing that something bad will happen? (See page
4, paragraph 5, and also page 2, paragraph 3)
6. Page 5, paragraph 5: Describe the relationship between Franklin and Henry (Notice the
sarcastic tone in page 3, paragraph 3, but also the reverent tone in page 6, paragraph 2)
7. Page 10, paragraph 3: What is the difference between Henry’s reaction to the accident
and Louisa’s reaction? Do you think one is better than the other?
8. Page 11, paragraph 1: What does Father Brenwood mean when he says, “No matter
what happens, there is always the business of the world to attend to?” How could we, or
the characters, apply this as a general life lesson?
9. Page 13: Is “indeterminate brain activity” a fate worse than death?
10. What dream does Henry have twice in this chapter? Why do you think he dreams it?