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Instructions: Read chapters 1-18 and do the tasks below.

Talking Points

Man and Boy

Part I

Instructions: Read chapters 1-18 and do the tasks below.

1. What are your impressions of the novel? How readable does it seem to be? How realistic are the events and the characters described in it?

2. What is the effect of first-person narration used in the novel? How revealing are the narrator’s interior monologues?

3. Think about the subtitle of the first part. What does skylarking mean? How does the subtitle relate to the contents of the first part?

4. When does one become a man according to the introduction? What are the supposed landmarks of manhood?

5. Complete the table below.

Chapter Possible Subtitle (It could be an important quote from the chapter or a word / phrase you can think of to indicate the highlight described in it.) Important Questions Answers Words and phrases Definitions/Translation/Use
  1. In what way does the first chapter inform the reader about what is going to happen later on in the novel? 2. How does the narrator feel about turning thirty? What are your plans for this stage of your life? 3. How true are the following statements: You only live once. Life starts to contract as you get older. Long legs are the best basis for the love of your life.       1.to put a damper on things 2.to let something rest 3.to take a wild guess 4.to play dumb 5. a mid-life crisis  
  1. What are your first impressions of Harry and Gina? What do we learn about their occupations, family background, character? 2. What is suggested by the concept of having-it-all? How much money is enough for you to get by? 3. “What’s wrong with a woman who stays home with her kid?”       1.road rage 2.rack one’s brain for something 3. a hate object 4.to break out in a cold sweat 5.to make a big deal about something  
  1. This chapter gives a glimpse into the world of TV. What is your opinion of contemporary TV and its role in people’s lives? Is television great? How true is the statement “TV is a baby-sitter, the best friend and a teacher.”? 2. How exciting is live TV in your opinion? Do TV people really worship authenticity? Do they hunger after real people with real lives and real stories?     1.the birds and bees 2.to give a shot 3.to get something off one’s chest 4.to pay lip service to something 5.eco-warriors  
  1. How different are the families Harry and Gina come from?       1.to wash one’s hands of something 2.to put one’s foot down 3.to hate someone’s guts 4.to need something badly 5.a flat battery  
  1. How does Harry’s son change? Is it true that a child can change in a moment? 2. Why do most men stray according to the narrator? 3. What difference is there between problems at work and problems at home according to the final passage of the chapter?     1.a domestic appliance 2.to give way 3.an obsession with something 4.take a message 5.to push something to the back of one’s mind  
  1. How does the narrator describe his relationship with his father? 2. How important is it for a son to have a male role-model?     1.to grow out of something 2.to bridge the gap 3.to be down about something 4. to get off lightly 5.to be all over the papers    
  1. Why does Gina leave Harry? 2. How does Harry feel about Gina’s leaving him? 3. How true is the following statement: “In any relationship, the one who cares the least is the one with all the power.”?   1.the bare essentials 2.a sinking feeling 3.to be gone for good 4.to walk out 5. to scramble for words      
  1. Where does Harry find Gina? 2. What is Harry’s opinion of Glenn, Gina’s father? 3. Is Gina willing to forgive Harry? What reasons does she give? 4. How do you feel about the following statements: It can’t always be a honeymoon. Looking after your child should be the most respected job in the world. People don’t break up because of a one-night stand.   1.a one-night stand 2.to recapture one’s youth 3.drift out of someone’s life 4.to take one’s word for it 5.to inflict wounds  
  1. What was Harry’s parents’ reaction when he tells them about Gina’s leaving him? 2. Where does Gina go? Who becomes Pat’s babysitter? How does Harry feel about it?   1.to feel for someone 2.to fall apart 3.to leave something out 4.to whine about something 5.ducked responsibilities  
  1. What does Harry think of single mothers? Do you agree with his opinion? 2. What is Harry’s realization at the end of the chapter?   1.to go bananas 2.to raise one’s voice 3.to put off 4.to make a fuss 5.to let down  
  1. Respond to the statements below: Children live in the moment. If you really love someone, you’ll follow them anywhere. 2. What do we learn about the waitress who serves Harry and his son? What seems to be her opinion of Harry? 3. What traits of Harry’s character does his conversation with Gina reveal? 4. How important is the father figure in the contemporary family according to the narrator? 5. What does Harry mean when he says that “Gina was gone and she was everywhere”? How does he deal with this situation?   1.to live in the moment 2.to fall out with somebody 3.to make a go of something 4.to get to work 5.to catch a glimpse of something  
  1. Who does the narrator run into while shopping? How does he feel about it? 2. What do Harry and Gina talk about? What comes to Harry’s mind after the conversation?   1.to have the decency 2.to have the time of one’s life 3.to cross one’s mind 4.How is it going? 5.to lay off  
  1. How does Harry feel about the fact that his father catches 2 young burglars? How does he comment on his character? How autobiographical does it all seem to be? 2. “Daddies can’t cook!” How true is this statement? 3. What is the point of Harry’s reference to the Star Wars at the end of the chapter?   1.as large as life 2.to have the guts 3.to lift a finger to someone 4.to have the heart 5.to make up  
  1. Why did Pat drop out? 2. Do you agree that time heals all wounds? Why, or why not? 3. Why did the protagonist want to go back to work?   1.to mend the cracks 2.to fret about something 3.to drop out 4.to rub one’s nose in something 5.to fill somebody in on something  
  1. Why does Harry call Gina? 2. Is there any difference between loving somebody and being in love with somebody? Give reasons for your response. 3. What was wrong with Harry and Gina’s marriage?   1.on one’s mind 2.to wish somebody well 3.to steer clear of somebody 4.to poison somebody against somebody 5.to break one’s trust  
  1. Why does Harry become interested in the Japanese economy? 2. What is the role of Bluebell in this chapter?   1.to suit somebody fine 2.a casual fling 3.the love of one’s life 4.wishful thinking 5.to grip one’s heart  
  1. Who helps Harry in his predicament? How?     1.to get through something 2.to get in the way 3.unconditional love 4.to make one’s lot better 5.to have something coming out of one’s ears  
  1. Harry reflects on taking his child to hospital. What comes to his mind? 2. “All families have their own legends and lore.” What are Harry’s? Does your family have any?     1.to pour something out 2.No rush. 3.to talk someone out of something 4.to make one’s day 5.to bump into somebody  

 



6. Who is your favourite character? Why?

7. What topics are discussed in Part 1? How relevant are they? What ideas does the author get across?

8. What do you think is going to happen further on in the novel?

 

 

Talking Points

Man and Boy

Part II


Date: 2016-03-03; view: 1225


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Óïðàâëåíèå ãëàãîëîâ | Instructions: Read chapters 19-30 and do the tasks below.
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