Eng. Reading 19
Mr. Shimada
April 28, 1997

The Assistant, Chapter 2 (pp. 28-52)

　

  1. "A man" appeared in Morris's neighborhood. What does he look like and what does he do? Comment on the following passages:

Once in a while the man would walk over to Morris's closed grocery and stare through the window; sighing, he went back to Sam's (p. 29)

Sam did notice that the stranger sometimes seemed to be under stress, sighed much and muttered inaudibly to himself. (p. 29) (Both Italics mine.)

  1. Sam thinks that Frank Alpine "looks half in his grave". (p. 30) What does this mean? Consider the possible connection with the line: "In a store you were entombed." (p. 9)
  2. Why does Frank know about St. Francis of Assis? What does he think of the saint?
  3. When Helen first sees Frank, what does she think of him?
  4. Why does Morris insist on opening the store at six a.m.? What is the underlying reason for this? How do you feel about a person like him?
  5. How does Morris get to know Frank?
  6. Frank "rinsed the cup and saucer" he used. What do you think is the possible implication of his act?
  7. Where does Frank come from? (Note the following analogous names: St. Francis/San Francisco; Frank Alpine/St. Francis of Assisi.)
  8. Morris says to Frank, "A store is a prison." (p. 33) What do you think he means? Haven't we met a similar metaphor relating to the store before?
  9. Why does Frank want to work at Morris's place? What do you think he is trying to do?
  10. Again, Frank 'sighed heavily" in the second paragraph on page 34. What do you think is going on in his mind here?
  11. What kind of life does Frank say he has been having? (Translate the paragraph beginning, "Frank slowly put out his cigarette..." on page 35, also the last paragraph.) What kind of luck does Frank have? Compare his with that of Karp, Sam, and Morris.
  12. How old is Frank?
  13. How does Frank analyze himself? (pp. 35-37) Comment on the paragraph beginning "He waited for the grocer to reply..." (p. 37)
  14. How does Frank react when Morris tells him about the wound on his head? And how does Morris respond to it?
  15. Why do you think Frank has washed Morris's window? Why do you think Morris refuses Frank's offer?
  16. What do you think of Louis Karp? How do you respond to such a man? What do you think of Helen? How do you respond to such a girl? How does Helen think of Nat Pearl now?
  17. Who has been stealing milk and rolls? Why didn't Morris call the police?
  18. Who is Mr. Minogue? Who is Ward? What kind of Father and Son are they?
  19. How does Ida think of Frank? Why do you think she doesn't want to let Frank stay? What do you think of the way Morris treats Frank? Do you think Morris could believe Frank?
  20. What happens to Morris at the end of this chapter? How does it end?

Glossary of Yiddish words::

die anti-Semitke (p.32): the anti-Semitic woman

goy (p. 38): a gentile; a non-Jew

pisher (p. 43): one who urinates; an insignificant or inconsequential person or thing

goniff (p. 46): a thief