Eng. Reading 19
Mr. Shimada
May 26, 1997

The Assistant, Chapter 3 (pp. 52-71)

　

  1. Why is Ida astonished when Frank tells her he has made 15 dollars? How much does he make the next morning? (p. 53)
  2. How does Frank manage the store? Do you think Ida has a faith in him? If not, why not?
  3. Comment on the following passage: "...and he felt for her repugnance for hating to touch the ham..." (p. 56) Why doesn't Ida like touching the ham?
  4. What does Al Marcus warn Frank of? (p. 57)
  5. Comment on the following passage: "Alone afterwards, he stood at the window, thinking thoughts about his past, and wanting a new life. Would he ever get what he wanted?" (p. 57) What do you think Frank wants?
  6. Why does Ida insist that Frank is "off" in the evening?
  7. How does Frank feel about Helen?
  8. How does Frank manage to talk to Helen? How does he feel about what he has done?
  9. How does Helen feel about Frank?
  10. In what way has the store improved after Frank started working? What does Ida think is the cause of this improvement?
  11. Why does Frank feel troubled about the raise Ida has offered? How does he feel about what he has been doing in the store? Comment on the following passage:

He talked aloud to himself when he was alone, usually when he was shaving or in the toilet, exhorted himself to be honest. Yet he felt curious pleasure in his misery... (p. 64)

  1. Why and how did Frank and Ward Minogue break in Morris's store? (p. 65)
  2. How does Ward look like in the poolroom? What kind of problem does he have? How does he feel about his father?
  3. Why has Frank looked for Ward? Why do you think Frank would want to do what he wants to do?
  4. What does Frank say he works for Morris for? Does Ward believe that? Do you? (pp. 68-69)
  5. Comment on the following: "But if you do it, he told himself, you will suffer." (p. 69)
  6. How is Helen's naked body described? Take note the previous references to her: 'she looks like a little bird" (p. 22); "her daughter's flower-like panties" (p. 57); 'she was in her way a lone bird..." (p. 60) What do you think the author is up to?
  7. Analyze Frank's characterization (putting an emphasis on the last two pages of this chapter). How do you feel about him? What sort of pattern can you see in his behavior?

Glossary of Yiddish words::

goy: a gentile

goyim: plural of goy