Page 65 - Point 5 Literature Program Option 1 Teachers Guide (2) (1)

Analysis and Interpretation

Let’s Think – Comparing and contrasting
The thinking skill taught is Comparing and contrasting. Have the students complete the
activities. allow them some time to search for suitable graphic organizers on the Internet if they are
having difficulty choosing one, although Venn diagrams are very suitable here.

Answers to questions 1–4 might include:
1. Complete the graphic organizer as follows: • A batch of
cylinder heads
came out cracked.
• Joe was not at work that day.
• The major needed
the cylinder parts.
Version 1 Version 3
Steve Deever Joe told Steve on
decided on his the phone to cover
own to cover up up the cracks and
the cracks. Version 2 said he would take
Joe lied about responsibility.
the phone call,
denying it ever
took place.

2. While Joe believes Larry is the practical one, it is Larry who is prepared to die because of Joe’s immoral business
conduct. Similarly, Joe believes Chris to be the idealist, but in fact he is the practical one who in the end is
prepared to compromise his morals so that his father won’t go to jail.
3. Kate was willing to sacrifice her son Chris’ happiness to keep the family together, and tried to prevent Chris from
marrying his missing brother Larry’s girlfriend. If Chris married Ann, the family would have to accept that Larry
was indeed dead. Kate did not want this to happen, as she suspected that her husband Joe’s criminal actions were
responsible for Larry’s death. The whole family would fall apart if the truth came out.
4. Chris
His actions show he is educated (takes the book section of the newspaper), sensitive and caring (waits three years
to ask Ann to marry him).
His words show that he has a sense of humor (I like to keep abreast of my ignorance.); he is observant and practical
(From her letters I think she has forgotten him.)
Others see him as an idealist (Chris makes people be better than it is possible to be. Sue); as someone who loves his
parents (You’re the only one I know who loves his parents. Ann); honest (This one everything bothers him. You make a
deal, overcharge two cents, his hair falls out. He don’t understand money. Joe); but also hypocritical (He knows, Annie, he
knows! ….Then why isn’t your name on the business? George).
Larry
His actions and his words show he was an idealist (he went on a suicide mission because he was ashamed of what
his father had done and explained this to Ann in his farewell letter to her).

Joe saw him as more practical, realistic and business-minded than Chris (He understood the way the world is made.
He listened to me. To him the world had a forty foot front, it ended at the building line.)
For this play it is important to understand the sequence of events that preceded the action on stage
as well as the events of that sunday.
Answers to questions 5 and 6 might include:

5. The play is set in August 1946, in the mid-west.
• Autumn 1943: Joe Keller allows his partner, Steve Deever, to supply the USAF with cracked cylinder heads.
• Autumn 1943: Twenty-one planes crash and Joe and Steve are arrested.

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