“The Glass Roses”
Total:
/27
by Alden Nowlan
Name: ________________________
1. What qualities does Leka possess that differ from Stephen’s father? Why does
Stephen like Leka? (4 marks)
2. Why does Leka remain nameless throughout most of the story? (1 mark)
3. What is the definition of “manhood” according to Stephen’s father? Why does
Stephen feel he is disappointing his father throughout this story? Please include two
quotes to support your answers. (4 marks)
4. Who do you think is the stronger man, Leka, Stephen’s father, or Stephen? Why? (2
marks)
5. What two false assumptions do the men make about Leka? If these assumptions
were both true, would the story be affected? Please explain. (2 marks)
6. What is the meaning of Stephen’s final action? What other action does this parallel
in the story? (2 marks)
7. It is relevant that “The Glass Roses” is set in a remote lumber camp, isolated from the
mainstream of society and especially from the feminine influence of mothers, sisters,
and wives. Discuss Alden Nowlan’s purpose in creating this setting for the story. (2
marks)
8. Three worlds are described in the story, each carrying symbolic significance:
a) Suppose the world outside the bunkhouse symbolizes society, the world of others
into which the young Stephen must emerge as an adult. Discuss what this world
would be like for Stephen, basing your judgments on descriptions of this outside
setting throughout the story. (2 marks)
b) Suppose the world inside the bunkhouse symbolizes Stephen’s unformed
individuality. Select details of the setting inside the bunkhouse that suggest
Stephen’s as yet unrefined self. (2 marks)
c) Suppose that the rich world of Leka’s memory symbolizes the power of the
imagination to turn the hardships of experience in to human strength. Discuss the
function of the description of the glass roses in developing this idea. How might the
description of an ancient city and of a cathedral with spires and domes work to
develop this idea (428). Discuss whether the description of Leka’s brother who, as a
cavalryman, wore red epaulettes and a sabre and was not much good against
tanks,””also works to develop this idea, and if so, how?(427) (2 marks)
9. Please examine the quotes below and explain what inferences can be made in
relation to theme, character development and symbolism (4 marks).
a) “Enviously he studied their faintly humped backs and ox-like shoulders. He thought
despairingly of his own willowy fifteen-year-old body”(424).
b) “The Polack chuckled. He had such nightmares almost every night, but the fear
seemed to leave him as soon as he was wholly awake” (425).
c) “There ain’t no room for kids in the pulp woods”and “There is not much room in the
world for glass roses”(425).
d) “Ï was only eight years old when I saw Cracow. My oldest brother was in the cavalry.
He had red things on his shoulders – epaulettes-he was killed the first day of the war,
my brother”(427).