Being Henry David
Ch. 1
What is the effect of the sentence structure at the beginning of the chapter?
How does the author use color to create a specific mood at the beginning of the
chapter?
3.
Where is the story set? How do you know?
4. What seems to be wrong with the main character of the story?
5.
Who is Frankie and what connection does he have to the main character?
What is the importance of the novel Walden to the main character?
6.
7. During the interaction with the transit cops, what seems clear about Frankie?
What is the significance of the quote from Walden that the Mustache Cop recites?
When he wakes up at Penn Station, the main character has a gut fear of the police and
decides to trust a "fuzzy instinct" that he's better off avoiding them. Why do you think he
has this fear? Is he right to trust it?
10. What does Frankie do after the transit cops leave?
1.
2.
8.
9.
Ch.2
1. What direct character traits does the author give about the main character?
2. What indirect character traits does the author give about the main character?
3. Who is Jack and what connection does he have to the main character?
4.
What is Jack doing when he first meets the main character?
5.
What name does the main character give himself when talking with Jack?
6. What does Jack call the main character?
7. What is the transit cops' reaction to seeing Hank with Jack?
8. Where does Jack take Hank when they leave Penn Station?
9. Who is Nessa and how is she connected to Jack and Hank?
10. What children's book does Nessa talk about with Hank?
11. What is the purpose of the "black beast"?
12. What do you think about Hank's friendship with Jack and Nessa? Is it harmful or helpful?
13. Reading the words of Thoreau in the alley, Hank experiences "the closest feeling, so far,
to home." Why do you think he responds this way?
14. How is the theme of running used and repeated in the first two chapters?