WAR
BY
T IMOTHY F IND LEY
1- D ESCRIBE THE COMPLETE SETTING
OF THE STORY: (5 PTS .)

Time (when?): August 1940

Place (where?): Muskoka/Orillia/ Currie farm

Atmosphere (what?): Neil hides from
everyone (angry)

Conditions (why?):
Neil learns that his
father has joined the army

Occupation (who?): Neil and Bud(students)
Father(salesman, soldier- has joined the
army).
2 - N AME
AND D ESC RI B E BOTH THE PROTAGON I ST AND
THE ANTAGO N I ST OF THE STORY.
C HAR AC T E R TRAIT S FOR
Protagonist : Neil
•Smart (skipped a
grade)
•Young (10 yrs. old)
•Stubborn
•Sensitive
•Wants to learn
how to skate
•Afraid of ducks
•Loves his father
G IVE
3
EAC H . (8 PTS . )
AT LEAST
Antagonist : Father
•Salesman
•Cares for
family/loves his son
•Soldier
•Patriotic
•Brave
•Tough
•Patient
3- I N WHAT POINT OF VIEW IS THE
STORY TOLD ? J USTIFY YOUR ANSWER .
(4 PTS )

The story is told in the 1st person
point of view. The narrator is
telling his own story.
4- E XPLAIN HOW N EIL FINDS OUT THAT HIS
FATHER HAS JOINED THE ARMY ? (4 PTS )

He overhears Bud and Teddy
Hartley arguing, and Bud just says
it without thinking(his brother
Bud blurted it out when having a
spiting contest).
5- W HAT
REASONS DOES N EIL GIVE FOR NOT
WANTING HIS FATHER TO JOIN THE ARMY ?
(4
PTS )

His uncle died while he was in the
army(1st World War), and he does not
want that to happen to his father.

His father will not be able to sell things
anymore.

His father will not be able to teach him
how to skate.
6- A ) D ESCRIBE
WHAT
N EIL
DOES TO HIS
FATHER WHEN HE IS FINALLY FOUND .

(2
PTS )
He throws rocks at his father and
knocks him out.
B)

W HY DO YOU THINK HE DOES THIS
TO HIS FATHER ? (2 PTS )
He is angry that his father is
leaving him/ He is angry that his
father had not told him about
joining the army/ He does not
know how to react or how to
control his reactions.
7. W HAT IS THE MAIN THEME OF THIS
STORY ? J USTIFY YOUR ANSWER . (5 PTS .)

War tears families apart.

No good can come of war.

It is important to always be
honest with your family.
+ justification!!!
8. I DENTIFY THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS
OF THE PLOT DIAGRAM : (6 PTS )

Preliminary Action: It is summer vacation; Neil is
spending time at the Curries’ farm and is waiting
for his parents to pick him up.

Complicating Incident: Neil learns that his father
has joined the army.

Rising Action: Neil hides overnight in the
barn/The police search for him and finally find
him.

Climax: Neil knocks out his father by throwing
rocks at him.

Outcome: Neil takes a picture with his family
before his father leaves for Ottawa. Neil regrets
his actions.
9. D O
YOU BELIEVE THAT THE CONFLICT IS
RESOLVED AT THE END OF THE STORY ?
J USTIFY
YOUR ANSWER .
(5
PTS )

Yes- Neil regrets his actions
/agrees to take family picture

No-The father leaves and they
don’t talk about what happened
1 0 . A)
I S N EIL’ S
REAC T IO N TO HIS FATHE R LEAV IN G
NORMA L FOR A BO Y OF HIS AGE ?
J USTIFY
YOUR
ANSWE R WITH A MINIMU M O F TWO ARGU M E NT S .
(5

Yes :
- Father can be a hero to young boys
- Too young to communicate his emotions
- Made a promise he could not keep
- Special bond between fathers and sons

No :
- Acts violently (should know better)….
+ explanation !!
PTS . )
10. B ) W HAT
WAR DOES THE AUTHOR REFER
TO IN THE TITLE ? S UPPORT YOUR VIEW WITH
A MINIMUM OF TWO EXAMPLES FROM THE
STORY.
(5
PTS .)

World War II(War in Europe)

The war between Neil and his
father
+ two examples