English 10H Short Story Study Guide

Who narrates “A&P,” and what job does he have?

Sammy, a 19-year-old grocery store checkout clerk.

Who is Queenie, and why does she stand out in “A&P”?

Queenie is the confident leader of the girls in bathing suits who trigger the story’s conflict.

What action by Lengel pushes Sammy to quit?

Lengel confronts the girls for breaking store policy by wearing bathing suits.

What does Sammy realize at the end of “A&P”?

He understands quitting makes his future harder and the girls did not notice his sacrifice.

What central conflict drives “A&P”?

Individual vs. society, as Sammy rebels against conformity and authority.

Who is Sam Wolinsky in “Seventeen”?

A 17-year-old Polish-American boy overwhelmed by adolescent emotions.

Why does Sam visit the brothel in “Seventeen”?

He wants to prove his strength and confront desire and evil.

How does the brothel experience change Sam?

It leaves him disillusioned, ashamed, and feeling small.

What major theme is revealed in “Seventeen”?

The loss of innocence and realization of ordinary humanity.

Who narrates “Sucker,” and how is he related to Sucker?

Pete narrates the story, and Sucker is his younger cousin.

How does Maybelle Watts affect Pete’s behavior?

Her rejection causes Pete to act cruelly toward Sucker.

What lasting effect does Pete’s cruelty have on Sucker?

Sucker becomes hardened, hostile, and filled with hatred.

What theme does “Sucker” emphasize?

Admiration often turns into contempt.

Why does Patsy Barnes urgently need money?

To hire a better doctor to save his mother from pneumonia.

What makes Patsy’s race especially risky?

He rides the same horse that killed his father.

What irony shapes “The Finish of Patsy Barnes”?

The horse that orphaned Patsy helps save his mother.

What tone best describes “The Finish of Patsy Barnes”?

Hopeful and determined despite hardship and racism.

Who is Anvil in “The White Circle”?

A violent bully who steals apples and beats Tucker.

What drastic action does Tucker take against Anvil?

He drops a hayfork to nearly kill him.

What does the White Circle symbolize?

A literal and figurative zone of death.

What idea about childhood does “The White Circle” explore?

Children are capable of extreme violence.

Why do Beezie and Kozik go to the wishing well?

They are poor and steal coins to survive.

How does Beezie become trapped in the well?

The wealthy owners unknowingly seal the lid while he is inside.

What conflicts shape “The Wishing Well”?

Man vs. nature and class conflict.

What decision does Beezie make at the end of the story?

He decides never to return to the well.

Who is Mark Prosser in “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and So Forth”?

A sensitive high school English teacher.

Why is Prosser flattered by Gloria’s note at first?

She claims to love him and admire his poetry teaching.

What truth does Prosser later discover about the note?

Gloria sent the same note to multiple teachers as a prank.

What theme is highlighted in the story?

The emptiness and misuse of language.

Who is William Young in “A Sense of Shelter”?

An unpopular senior known as a teacher’s pet.

Why does William confess his feelings to Mary Landis?

He feels protected by the school on a snowy day.

How does Mary respond to William’s confession?

She gently rejects him but encourages his future.

What do the snow and school symbolize in the story?

The shelter of childhood William is ready to leave behind.