Contents of the Dead
Man’s Pocket
PAGES 6/7
1.
BASED ON ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE, WHEN DO YOU
THINK THIS STORY TAKES PLACE?
2. WHAT TYPE OF CONFLICT DOES TOM HAVE?
3. WHAT CAUSED THE SHEET OF PAPER TO FLY OUT THE
WINDOW?
4. WHY DOES THE AUTHOR GIVE A PLAY BY PLAY ACCOUNT
OF THE MOVEMENT OF THE PAPER?
5. WHY IS TOM UPSET ABOUT THE LOSS OF THE PAPER?
PAGE 8
1. WHAT INTERNAL CONFLICT IS TOM EXPERIENCING?
(TOP OF PAGE 8)
2. DESCRIBE TOM’S PERSONALITY TYPE?
3. WHAT REALIZATION FINALLY MAKES HIM DECIDE
TO GO ON THE LEDGE?
4. HOW DOES THE PACE OF THIS PASSSAGE
CONTRIBUTE TO THE FEELING OF SUSPENSE?
(BOTTOM OF PAGE 8)
PAGE 9
1. WHAT MIGHT THE APARTMENT REPRESENT TO
TOM? WHAT EFFECT DOES ITS DISAPPEARANCE
HAVE ON HIM?
2. IDENTIFY SENSORY DETAILS THAT THE AUTHOR
USES TO HELP THE READER EXPERIENCE THE SCENE
BEING DESCRIBED.
PAGE 10
1. WHAT DOES TOM DO THAT HE HAS BEEN TRYING
TO AVOID? HOW WILL THIS EFFECT HIM?
2. WHAT CAUSES TOM TO NEARLY FALL?
3. WHAT ACTION IS OCCURRING TOWARD THE
BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE? WHAT IS THE
RELATIONSHIP OF THE PACE OF THE NARRATIVE
AND THE LEVEL OF SUSPENSE?
PAGE 11
1. WHAT IS TOM VISUALIZING IN HIS MIND?
2. WHY IS TOM ASTONISHED TO FEEL THE PAPER
BENEATH HIS FINGERS?
3. WHAT IS THE ONLY THING KEEPING TOM FROM
REACHING HIS APARTMENT?
4. WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE
PAGE?
PAGES 12/13
1. WHY IS IT IRONIC THAT SO LITTLE TIME HAS
PASSED?
2. WHY IS TOM STUCK OUTSIDE THE WINDOW? WHAT
CAUSED IT TO JAM?
3. HOW DOES THE MENTION OF WHAT CLARE IS
DOING AFFECT THE READER’S PERCEPTION OF
TIME?
PAGES 14/15
1. IS THIS STORY REALISTIC? COULD A PERSON
WITHSTAND SEVERAL HOURS OUTSIDE THE
WINDOW WITHOUT FALLING?
2. WHY WOULDN’T ANYONE ELSE UNDERSTAND THE
CONTENTS OF THE YELLOW SHEET?
3. WHAT IS TOM’S PLAN FOR SURVIVAL?
PAGE 16
1. HOW DOES THE AUTHOR PROLONG AND BUILD
THE SUSPENSE IN THE LEAD UP TO THE CLIMAX?
2. HOW DOES TOM RESOLVE HIS CONFLICT?