NaimExplain

In what ways do Portia and her father differ in their reaction to Willie's punishment in prison and the loss of his feet? Portia, who doesn't usually drink, gets drunk. She is rightfully upset, but in spite of her fear she does not want to make waves with the white justice system. Doctor Copeland, however, who has struggled to overcome the "black anger" that used to overcome him, is ready to face that white justice system head on. When he is challenged, and abused, that anger is triggered and he fights back.

Why were the black families so hard hit with problems during the month of February? They lived in the deep South where winters usually do not get so cold or last so long. Because they are poor they lack the needed supplies and don't have the money to buy them. Work is slow and that doesn't help. Plus an epidemic of pneumonia has hit and is taking its toll.

What impact does the situation with Hitler in Europe have on Harry and Mick? Now that Harry is older, he understands what is happening in Europe and the horrible things Hitler is doing to the Jewish people. Although Harry no longer considers himself Jewish, he is still bothered by the wrong of what is happening. It interferes and overrides any desires he once had for his future. He even imagines killing Hitler. On the other hand, Mick is just beginning to understand because of what Harry tells her, and in her case she is more following the leader. She sees the wrong in what is happening, but hasn't yet formed her own opinions on what to do about it.

What do we learn about the Kellys financial situation in Part 2, Chapter 9? We learn that the Kelly family's financial situation is growing worse. They lost their home because they could not keep up the payments and they had to pay rent to stay there now. The older children were working, but it seems that there still is not enough and sometimes the younger children are hungry for several days. They were struggling since Wilbur Kelly was injured, but it is much worse since they have Baby's medical expenses to pay.

Why is Biff Brannon so drawn to Mick Kelly? Biff Brannon dreams of having children and he associates Mick and Baby to those children he'd like to have. However, he does seem to be unusually interested in her, yet it does not say if it goes beyond paternal to perhaps sexual. The fact that he watches for her and his voice deepens when he talks to her leaves one to wonder.

Why did Biff Brannon seem to be closer to his wife than they were when she was alive? While Biff Brannon took great pains to remove memories of Alice, from quickly giving away everything that was hers to remodeling the bedroom they shared, he was often overcome with memories of the better times they had had together. Now that she was dead, there was no more negativity to stand between them.

Why did Mister Singer arrange a special trip to visit Antonapoulos before his vacation? Mister Singer missed his friend very much and dreamed about him often. However, in one dream he felt something bad had happened to his friend. He did not know if anything really had happened to him, so he wanted to see for himself.

What happened as Mister Singer got more acquainted with the people in the town? As Mister Singer got more acquainted with the people in the town the people started rumors about him. A few of the people remembered him with Antonapoulos, but most of them seemed to just come up with their own ideas about who he really was. There was a growing curiosity about him.

In what way did Doctor Copeland use the Christmas party as a forum? Doctor Copeland used his party as an opportunity to speak to his patients about his beliefs and how to better the lives of the black community. It was like having a captive audience, they had to listen to be polite in his home, and they knew after he spoke there would be refreshments and gifts.

Why did Doctor Copeland have problems choosing the essay contest winner? Doctor Copeland knew the one that was best written, however he felt the ideas presented in the essay were "wild notions." The boy was advocating dividing the US and forming a separate nation for African-Americans people. Although Doctor Copeland agreed with the boy's feelings about their race, he believed in all people being equal under one nation.

What kind of offer does Lucille present to the Kellys after Bubber shoots her daughter, Baby? That they will pay all her medical expenses, for private room and nursing, and other expenses she deems fair for them to pay. In return she is not going to file charges or take them to court.

What was Mick's theory about the younger kids in a family? Mick theorized that the younger kids in a family were the toughest ones, because they have more kids before them. Even at a young age, she realizes that the attention from their parents is more divided and the hand-me-downs more worn out. They have to achieve more because they have less.

What was it about the message in red, written on a wall, that held Jake Blount's attention? Jake Blount may have felt the message was symbolic of what he felt about the mighty and rich 20% of the population who ruled over the other 80%.

What does Jake Blount mean when he speaks about "us," saying he doesn't know how many of us there are in this country? Although Jake Blount admits he is not a member of the Communist Party, his beliefs lie in that direction, so it seems when he says, "us," he is talking about communists, or people who share his beliefs.

What bothered Doctor Copeland when he attended the family reunion? He saw how contented his family was with the simplicity of their lives, and the way they accepted their lives as they were, never wanted to make more of them. This was totally different from the high aspirations he had once had for his children.

What did Doctor Copeland talk to Mister Singer about when he visited in Part 2, Chapter 3? Doctor Copeland talked to Singer about what he called the "strong true purpose." This was he desire to help the African-American people have better lives.

What question was plaguing Biff Brannon as he watched Mister Singer, Jake Blount, and Mick Kelly together? Biff wasn't even certain what it was, but he sensed something about Mister Singer that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Something just wasn't right. That was the question that plagued him.

What was it that Biff Brannon and his sister-in-law, Lucille, disagreed on? Lucille was preparing her daughter to be some kind of childhood star, and Biff felt she should let the child have a normal childhood.

Why did Mick Kelly decide she wanted to have a prom party? When she started Vocational High School, she didn't hang around with any one group of students, though she wanted to. She thought having the party would give her the chance to know them better and become part of a group.

What place did Mick Kelly favor during her long walks at night, and why? Mick found a home in the rich part of town where they listened to marvelous classical music on the radio. She would hide in the bushes near an open window and listen.