W AR BY T IMOTHY F INDLEY

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?): father has joined the army Neil learns that his  Occupation (who?): Neil and Bud(students) Father(salesman, soldier- has joined the army).

2- N AME AND DESCRIBE BOTH THE PROTAGONIST AND THE ANTAGONIST OF THE STORY . G IVE AT LEAST 3 CHARACTER TRAITS FOR EACH . (8 PTS .)

Protagonist : Neil

• Smart (skipped a grade) • Young (10 yrs. old) • Stubborn • Sensitive • Wants to learn how to skate • Afraid of ducks • Loves his father

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(1 st 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

10. A ) I S N EIL ’ S REACTION TO HIS FATHER LEAVING NORMAL FOR A BOY OF HIS AGE ? J USTIFY YOUR ANSWER WITH A MINIMUM OF TWO ARGUMENTS . (5 PTS .)  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 !!

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