Content Questions (Numbers indicate the chapter you should refer to.)

1. Who are the Vigils? Describe the responsibilities of Carter, Archie, and Obie within the Vigils.(1-12)
2. How does the black box keep Archie’s power in check?(1-12)
3. Although they are both bullies, how does Emile Janza differ from Archie Costello? Why doesn’t Antone oppose Emile?(1-12)
4. Why does Jerry refuse to sell the chocolates?(13-16)
5. Why does Brother Leon give Caroni an "F"?(13-16)
6. How does Jerry’s continued refusal to sell chocolates affect the other students?(17-25)
7. What is the difference between the way Archie and Carter approach problems?(17-25)
8. As Jerry stood before Archie in front of the Vigils, he felt "a terrific sadness" sweep over him. Why do you think his dominating emotion was sadness and not fear?(17-25)
9. List the acts of violence against Jerry that were ordered and/or condoned by the Vigils in an effort to make him sell the candy.(26-39)
10. Describe the raffle rules. How does this set-up make the crowd responsible for the violence in the ring?(26-39)
11. At what moment does Jerry realize that he has been changed by the violence of his ordeal at Trinity? How does this signify that triumph of Archie and his followers?(26-39)
12. What is the discovery that Jerry feels that he must share with Goober from the depths of his pain?(26-39)

1. When Jerry realizes that his locker has been vandalized, the author notes: "For some reason, he felt ashamed." Goober and Brother Eugene suffer similar reactions to the psychological violence inflicted on them. What do you think it is about the nature of violence that makes its victims feel shame and humiliation as opposed to other emotions?
2. Some critics find the recurrent violence in the novel questionable, claiming that it paints an unnecessarily brutal picture of adolescence and foretells a world without hope. Do you agree? Or do you think that the violence makes the story more true-to-life?