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SAMPLE Questons--Note: You are working with Trumbo's novel, not The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Question 1:

True or False. In Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy's last name is "Storm"

Answer:False (Her last name was "Gale")

Question 2:

Multiple Choice. In Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Tin Woodsman would like the great Oz to give him:

(a) a brain
(b) courage
(c) a heart
(d) all of the above
(e) none of the above

Answer: (c)

Question 3:

Short answer. In Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (I am referring to the book, not the film adaptation), what color were the special shoes that Dorothy inherited?

Answer: Silver

Question 4:

Discussion. In Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy makes both a literal journey and a symbolic journey. There may be more than one symbolic journey and each may be interpreted different ways. Briefly describe the literal journey (in approx. one sentence or more), and then suggest ONE symbolic journey for Dorothy.

Answer. (NOTE: answers may vary in a discussion question, but I will be looking for evidence of critical thinking and and "engagement" with the text)

After a Kansas tornado relocates her house to another world, Dorothy, with the help of some friends she meets along the way, wants nothing more than to find her way home. To do that, she must first find the "Wizard" of Oz and ask him for his help.

In my opinion, one metaphor for Dorothy's desire to "find home" suggests that she is "lost." Perhaps, not as lost as "The Lost Generation," but she can't quite find her way in life. She is lost emotionally or, at least, temporarily disoriented emotionally. She is a young girl but she is facing the prospect that she must soon grow up--a "scary" proposition. On this adventure, Dorothy fnds herself alone, perhaps for the first time, and without the hand-holding of her "real" family and friends; to move forward, she must figure out how to both survive and find her way on her own. Along the way, she learns the importance of wit, sensitivity, and bravery, as well as perserverance, as "notable" pro-survivial traits that can get her through most any mess she finds herself in. Like a knight searching for the grail, several aspects of her character are tested. Her previous role as an immature young child normally doted on and looked after by the farmhands, etc. is transformed into one of a nurturer, where she, in effect, becomes a substitute mother or caretaker to not only her helpless little dog, but also to her three friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman, and the Cowardly Lion, all very pure and "child-like" in their own ways. The Wicked Witch, who stands in the way of her literal journey, may also represent all of her fears: fear of failure, fear to reachieve the sense of balance and harmony in the world she felt BEFORE the whirlwind "gale" that disrupted her initial sense of security. The Good Witch, who only pops up when needed most, may represent either her conscience or survival instinct or both; she reminds Dorothy that the answers can be found within not without. Along the road to Oz, at times, she must assume a leadership role: stand up to/tell off the witch, take down the scarecrow, oil the Tin Woodsman, and either shame or encourage the Lion when necessary. In effect, Dorothy's symbolic journey is one from childhood to either adolescence or provisional adulthood.

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See how easy that was?

Ok, I look forward to reading "your" questions. You see the standard I'm looking for, so come up with some good ones. My only stipulation is that you don't insult me or the class with joke questions. Try to imagine that you are a teacher and designing questions that will challenge your student to really think about what he or she has read and demonstrate that he or she has effectively done so.

Good Luck!

~Lee

1. In the beginning of chapter 4, Joe feels hot because of a memory of being at the beach with his family.
FALSE: he has a memory of working on the railroad in the desert

2. In this chapter, Joe’s memory reveals that during that summer, he lost his
(a) girlfriend
(b) family
(c) best friend
(d) a and c
(e) b and c

3. After Joe sees Diane and Bill Harper kiss on her porch, what does he do?
ANSWER: cries in his bed

4. What is the literary significance of using Joe’s memories as a means of narrating the story?

Initially, it is difficult for the reader to determine what is really happening, and what is just a memory or dream. “It was hot. So hot that he seemed to be burning up inside and our…He and Howie were working there in the hot sun laying that railroad straight through the Uintah desert” (Trumbo 40). This is significant for it gives the reader a sense of what Joe is going through; he also can’t determine what’s reality and what’s a memory. Not only do Joe’s memories serve to give the reader vital information that they wouldn’t get otherwise, but it makes the story more realistic. Joe literally has nothing else to do. At this point, he has no way to communicate with anyone. He has no ears, no eyes, no arms, and no legs. His memories provide an escape from his current state of nothingness.

Joe’s memories serve to evoke sympathy in readers. Through his depiction of Joe’s memories, Trumbo makes sure that the reader understands that Joe is a real person; he has had a past, a family, friends, and girlfriend whom he loved very much. He is not just another soldier lucky to be alive. He is not just the “dead man” who lives. He makes the readers angry that something so horrifying happened to a man who didn’t deserve it. Sure readers know that these things happen, but what are the chances that they’ve ever come in close contact with someone who it has happened to? What are the chances that they got the opportunity to go inside the head of someone injured at war to the extent that Joe has been injured? It makes something very impersonal like war in other countries, seem a little more personal.

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Thank you Chera!

~Lee

T. Wineland
American Literature 1915-Present
Professor Lee Hobbs
March 5, 2008

Johnny Got His Gun – Chapter 11

1. True/False.
While testing his memory, Joe was able to recall all eight of the planets.

Answer: False. He could only recall five: Earth, Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Mercury.

2. Multiple Choice.
To whom does Joe compare himself in his current condition?

a. a slave
b. a baby
c. a helpless animal
d. his father

3. Short Answer.
How does Joe use his skin to tell time?

Joe is able to feel the warmth of the sunrise on his neck and know that it is morning.

4. Essay Question.
Explain the significance of time in relation to Joe’s outlook on life?

In my opinion Joe believed that if he didn’t know the time he was lost and that knowing time would keep him in the world (126). He felt that time was his last tie to other people and if it were gone he would be all alone (126). When he was able to grasp the general time of day he praised God (139) and was then able to relax and lose himself in peaceful thoughts of mornings back home (138). I think time gave Joe a place in the world in the sense that he knew it to be concrete and not a dream. Joe proved that he was not worthless in the world but very much a part of it.

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Good questions. I really like 3 and 4!

~Lee

Chapter 20:

Question: 1. True of False.
Joe has not found a way to communicate with the outside world.

Answer: 1. False, Joe has found a way to communicate with outsiders and doctors.

Question: 2. In chapter 19, Joe poses a very important question to someone that doesn’t answer him until Chapter 20, who is it?
A. The Nurse
B. The Doctor
C. The Morse Code Man
D. Kareen

Answer: 2. C, Joe asks the Morse Code Man if they could use him as a freak exhibit, “the dead-man-who-is-alive… the-live-man-who-is-dead”, in hopes of showing people essentially what really happens when you go to war.

Question: 3. What do the doctors do to Joe, that makes him quit asking questions and trying to talk?

Answer: 3. The doctors sedate him

Question: 4. Explain the conflict(s) that Joe is feeling in this chapter.

Answer: 4. In chapter 20, I believe that Joe is experiencing two types of conflict. The first conflict consists of Joe vs. the Morse Code Man. The reason for this is because Joe feels that he should have a say in what is done with his body, and he also feels that he should be allowed to make an exhibit of himself, but when morse code man tells him “WHAT YOU ASK IS AGAINST REGULATIONS WHO ARE YOU?”, all of Joe’s fait and hope is crushed and he finds himself no longer paying attention to them (Trumbo 234-235). The second conflict consists of Joe vs. the war. Joe feels that the war’s perception is so drastically different then the actual reality of being in war. He wants people to realize that it is not all about showing liberty and serving your country, but rather the dark, violent, grotesque realities that war actually entails, and he struggles to deal with his reality of not being able to warn and share his war experiences with others.

Thomas A.

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Great job Thomas. I can tell you put some thought into this!

~Lee

1.) True or False (Please write out the word true if the answer is true or false is the answer is false).
The woman in chapter sixteen is crying for her lost boy who Joe identifies as “Christ”.
Answer: True (Page 189)
2.) Please choose the letter that best answers the question.
The man who looked as though her were a Swede in chapter 16 told Christ he wished he had a drink. What drink does Christ make appear?
A. Beer
B. Wine
C. Whisky
D. Scotch
Answer: C (Page 190)
3.) Please complete the statement below with the correct word.
“He threw himself into the hot sand at the feet of Christ and began to ________.”
Answer: “Cry” (Page 194)
4.) Briefly discuss whether you agree Joe’s fate is worse than death, why or why not?

In my opinion, Joe’s fate is worse than death. He may still be technically living; he cannot walk, touch things, speak, or hear. What kind of life would it be if no one could understand you or your pain? You wouldn’t be able to do much with your life but lie around and hope that someone would take the time to see you. It is like you’re permanently stuck in the same place, where as in death you can at least move on.

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Nice work. Sounds like your final question could be worked into a paper idea that stretches across several books--think about it.

~Lee

Amanda Farabaugh
English Blog (4 Questions)

Q: Does Joe struggle with the phrases “lie & lay”, “whom & who”, “between you and I & between you and me”?
True/False
A: True

Q: Joe thinks if you can keep track of something, you can get a hold on yourself and keep yourself in the world. What is he referring to?

A. Thoughts C. Time
B. Ideas D. Knowledge
A: C. Time

Q: What “fight” did he win?
A: He recaptured time, knew when it was day and night

Q: What was he struggling with all through chapter one?

A: He was struggling with the idea of time. He tried counting the seconds, minutes and hours, although those numbers would get too large and he would forget what number he was on and how many minutes and hours had passed. When he finally understood when day and night was by the touch on his skin from the sun, he was able to figure out the days. He soon then started to count how many times the nurse came into the room. He figured out that she would come to his room at eight, twelve, four, eight, twelve, and four and so on. She would change his bed clothes and sheets in the morning at eight. He finally understood time again.

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Excellent discussion question.

~Lee

English Blog Post 3
Questions

Chapter 17:

Question 1:
True or False. Joe notices early in chapter 17 that he has a new day nurse.

Answer: True. Joe imagines her as much younger than his previous day nurse.

Question 2:
Multiple Choice. What holiday greeting does the new day nurse in chapter 17 “spell out” on Joe’s chest?

A) Happy New Year
B) Merry Christmas
C) Happy Birthday
D) Happy Thanksgiving

Answer: B) Merry Christmas. Joe is very excited about knowing what time of year it is, and even more excited that this new nurse had attempted to treat him as a person and communicate with him.

Question 3:
Short Answer. What poem does Joe remember his mother reciting every Christmas Eve to his family when he was still at home?

Answer: Twas the Night Before Christmas

Question 4:
Discussion. In your opinion, why does Trumbo recite the story of the birth of Christ in its entirety and how does it relate to Joe’s current situation?

Answer: There could be many arguments as to why Trumbo recited the story of the birth of Christ and how it relates to Joe’s situation. I believe that, like with every other seemingly strange statement in this book Trumbo was trying to make a point. Christ was a very present idea in Joe’s mind at this point in that, he even admitted to praying and talking to God due to his silence. Also, Joes was, in a sense, stuffed back into the womb. The only thing he had left was feeling and thinking much like the unborn Christ. However, it is also true that Christ was a sacrifice for the betterment of mankind and to forgive sins. Therefore, Joe is sort of the same except that his point is never made due to his hushed death in the end of the book. This is, in a way, an example of irony, as Joe will never have the opportunity to have an immortal story like Christ. It is also interesting how Joe recites the story in his own words, like he is internalizing the tale as his own as if to say that he is going through the same thing.

Heather Stull
Mr. Lee Hobbs
EL267.01
3/11/08

Chapter 14 Questions

Question: True or False

Ruby is the name of Joe’s old friend from school who has become a prostitute.

Answer: False (167)

Question: Who is Laurette?

A. a friend from school

B. a prostitute

C. Joe’s sister

D. The first girl Joe had sex with

Answer: B She is a prostitute from Stumpy Telsa’s (168).

Question: What happens at the American House in Paris? Why is it significant to Joe?

Answer: Joe meets Lucky, one of the few American prostitutes in Paris. They form a

friendship that is comforting to Joe. Spending time in with an American presence like

Lucky helps Joe escape the alienation he feels from being in Paris (173-175).

Question: How does Dalton Trumbo use internal parallel imagery to communicate Joe’s sexual release?

Answer: Trumbo juxtaposes Joe’s sexual tension with the tension of wartime violence. Sexual language is used to describe the production of the bomb that is meant for Joe and its journey to him. The German girl is handling the shell just as the nurse is handling Joe (176). As Joe’s excitement builds, the bombs journey to its final destination is described (177). The hidden bomb is symbolic of Joe’s buried sexual tension (178). Joe’s union with the bomb parallel’s his sexual release (179).
Trumbo also relates Joe’s emotional turmoil by alluding to the same form of writing used when Joe is at the train station in the beginning of the novel. The author creates a montage of different voices, this time, they are the memories of past interactions with prostitutes, the sexual promiscuity that pervaded Paris during the soldier’s leave, and the building and journey of the bomb that will permanently alter Joe’s existence (175-179). In both instances, these montages are meant to illustrate Joe’s emotional confusion. At the train station, memories of Kareen interspersed with political propaganda relate that he is torn between his newfound love for Kareen and the sense of duty he has been convinced he owes his country. In chapter fourteen, his dizzying memories of Paris and the romanticism with which he describes the bomb explain his confusion over the nurse’s reaction to him. He appreciates that she is willing to do that but is also ashamed of the fact that his life has come to the point of receiving pity from her in this way. He is also angered that she believes him to be nothing other than an animal with primal needs and not an intelligent being who is instead trying to communicate more advanced ideas with the tapping of his head(166-67,179).

True or False:
At the start of chapter 18, Joe is overjoyed that he has a nurse that can communicate with him.

True

When the nurse leaves the room after having a “tap” communication, he feels how?
Happy and risen from the dead
Sad that she left
Upset that he has no arms to hug her

A

What did the man who returned with the nurse “tap” to joe?

What do you want.

How did Joe feel in this chapter going from joy to sorrow and relate this feeling to a personal story?

Have you ever experienced such joy that you wanted to share with the world but when you tried to, they asked you what you wanted as if annoyed by you? That pretty much sums up that feeling. Joe had it hard enough with no limbs, or any other sensing mechanisms other than nerve endings in his skin that allowed him to feel pressure. One event that occurred several times throughout the story was that the nurse would come in and either feel sorrowful and cry or horrified and leave. Although treated like a child, he was happier than ever that the nurse was able to communicate via tapping to him (Trumbo 273). After thinking of all the wonderful things he could do, being the official speaker of the dead, telling the story of what really happens in wartime, his dream was soon shattered; a crushing blow as if all his world was lost. A man came into the room, the one that the nurse had summoned, and tapped back on Joe’s head and asked what is it that he wanted (Trumbo 279). After all of this excitement and potential glory and pride, received nothing.

Chapter 12

Question #1.
Please answer the question with a word, or group of words.
“How could Joe keep Kareen age 19 forever?”
Answer-In his mind she would always remain 19( pg. 145).

Question #2.
Please answer true or false.
“Joe thought that he was in an American hospital.”
Answer-False. He assumed he was in an English hospital( pg 146)

Question #3.
Please choose the correct answer.
“What holiday did Joe celebrate in his mind?”
A. Christmas
B. Easter
C. Halloween
D. New Year’s Eve
Answer –D (pg 140-141)
Question #4.
Please discuss the following…
“Is it ironic that Joe is comparing himself to the young “limey” who instead of losing his senses and limbs, instead lost his mind? Which is worse-to be trapped inside the body with no mind, or trapped inside the mind with no body?
Answer-It is ironic that Joe compares his situation to that of the young man who went AWOL after his encounter with “Lazarus” (pg 152) Joe states that “the young limey had legs and arms and he could talk, see and hear. Only he didn’t know he couldn’t get any fun out of it if there was no meaning for him.”(pg. 153). In my opinion, and Joe seems to echo the sediment, it would be better to be trapped in a body with no mind, than in a mind with no body. Joe states that “lying in another English hospital was a guy who wasn’t a bit crazy but who wished he was.”(pg 153). Ideally, a mind swap would be the answer, as the text suggested. If Joe had suffered brain damage, in addition to his other injuries, there is a possibility that he would never have known what he lost. He could have lived inside his own mind forever. The “limey” who lost his mind, is probably happy in the world that his brain has created for himself. He isn’t forced to deal with what he has lost, as opposed to Joe who must face it constantly.

1) True or False? In Chapter 19 does Joe feel like he is a prisoner?
Answer: True

2) How did Joe want to raise money for him to get out of the hospital?
a) File charges against the government
b) Turn into a side show in the circus
c) Turn himself into an exhibit to educate people on the war
d) None of the above
Answer= c
3) What nursery rhyme character did Joe compare himself to in Chapter 19?

Answer = Humpty Dumpty

4) As an exhibit, does Joes really feel that he would be encouraging American’s to support the war?

Answer = Joe’s sarcasm when he talking about being an exhibit speaks to the reader as his resentment towards the war. Joe speaks about showing himself to children to encourage them to save their country, when realistically he would scare children into nightmares. Joe speaks about exhibiting himself at a church, which people at a church would not embrace war and would not embrace the concept of this man lying without life basically. Joe’s idea of exhibiting himself is his want to show people what war brings to an individuals life.

Ryenn Micaletti
American Lit (1915-Present)
Mr. Hobbs
Chapter 11

1. Joe tries to exercise his brain by singing songs in his head and telling himself jokes, true or false?

False: Joe exercises his brain by trying to remember multiplication problems and different uses of grammar.

2. In chapter xi Joe wants to accomplish knowing _____? a.) the time b.) where his body parts are c.) who the nurse is that takes care of him d.) his birthday

Answer: a.

3. Joe realizes that he can sense different things even though he does not have hearing or vision. He can sense things with his skin. The first thing he tries to sense is the ______.

Answer: Sunrise

4. Throughout the book one, Joe has flashbacks during different times of his life. What do all of these flashbacks have in common. Explain and give an example.

Answer: Joe has many flashbacks in book one. I think all of the flashbacks he had in book one all had one thing in common. Joe lost something or someone. For example, when he was working in the bakery. He was working with a man named Jose. Jose was a good man and ended up getting a job somewhere else. Joe never saw him again. In another flashback Joe loses his love Diane. She cheats on him in Shale City with Glen Hogan.

Chris King Chapter 12
1. T/F: Joe can keep track of the days, months, and year.
Answer: True.
2. Every Sunday, Joe experienced:
a. Fall
b. Summer
c. Spring
d. Winter
Answer: C (spring)
3. Joe had a ______ and _______ Nurse.
Answer: Day, Night.
4. Describe the word choice of “happy” during the beginning of the chapter. Also, explain some of the happiness Joe is experiencing.
Answer: I feel that the word “happy” is used many times – twice in a row multiple times. It is really ironic how Joe has been in this state of unhappiness and distress yet now he is talking about happiness. Not only just talking about happiness, but the word happy is used quite often in the opening pages of the chapter. In particular, “happy new year” is stated many times (140-141). It is also interesting how Joe reflects on the time he has been spending in counting the weeks and days. It almost seems as if Joe is content with his situation, or perhaps he just accepts it. Earlier, Joe was going through his crisis of the situation, now I feel he is dealing quite well. He describes his “walks” through the woods (144). This is particularly interesting how he really has no legs to do such things, yet, he is happy “dreaming” about it. Joe is also happy knowing that he can celebrate New Year’s although, as far as he knows, it could be The fourth of July (143). And finally, he finds satisfaction in knowing the difference between the nurses that are caring for him (142). He can tell them apart and also describe each one in what they do and how they act.
Overall, I feel the word happy could be the change in how Joe views his life. He is now realizing that he still has his mind. His mind can do pretty much anything just by itself which is what will work towards his benefit.

Chapter 20:

True of False. (233)
Question: 1. The nurse who is able to communicate with Joe gets a doctor to help once she figures this out.
Answer: 1. True, the nurse leaves and returns with a doctor who knows Morse Code.

Multiple Choice (234)
Question: 2. The doctor
A. lets Joe go outside
B. Moves Joe near a window
C. Tells him it’s against regulations for him to go outside
D. Talks with him for hours
Answer: 2. C.

Short Answer (240)
Question: 3. Who did Joe see himself as once the sedative kicked in?
Answer: 3. a Christ-like figure, the new messiah of the battlefields.

Discussion (241)
Question: 4. What was Joe’s conclusion on war?
Answer: 4. It seems that Joe sees war as a necessary evil. He says that those who are in charge of the country must do what is needed to ensure democracy and if he is told to carry and gun and go off to war, then he will do it. He seems to have no regrets for his situation and he has no apologies for what’s happened.

1. T/F Joe’s first time having sex was with Kareen.
Answer: False. It was with Ruby.
2. What would Lucky do when Joe came to visit?
a. Cochet and talk
b. Get drunk
c. Beg him to stay with her
d. Cry about the war
Answer: a. She would sit at the foot of the bed and talk while crocheting on a doily.
3. What did Laurette do for three months of the year?
Answer: Lives in a fancy hotel, meets men, and dances.
4. Why do you think Trumbo spent so much time describing each of the prostitutes?
Answer: Just as Trumbo’s story tries to put a human face and human emotion onto a former-soldier, it’s just as important to emphasize the humanity of the prostitutes. For that time, girls like Bonnie (172) and Lucky (174) would have been similar to the soldiers in the affect the war was having on their lives and the danger they lived in. Prostitution is present in most wars, so in some ways the girls are female versions of the soldiers. Lucky and Bonnie can connect with Joe because of their mutual involvement in the war. Likewise, just as Joe candidly recalls the actions and horrors of the war, he also very honestly describes the girls and their lives, like the fact that Lucky has a son or her story about the earthquake in San Francisco (174-175). It seems that Trumbo is trying to emphasize that the war did not just affect soldiers, or even just men, but everyone.

Short Answer:

Q: In Chapter 13, what was pinned on Joe’s left breast?

A: a medal (p.159)

Multiple Choice:

Q: What was the first word that Joe tapped?

a) H-E-L-L-O

b) S-O-S

c) M-E-R-R-Y C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

A: S-O-S (p. 163)

True/False:

Q: Joe felt “all in a hub-bub” (p. 155) because he got an unexpected fresh change of linen.

A: True

Discussion question:

Q: Explain why Joe gets furious with the generals who come into his room.

A: Joe becomes angry with the men who come into his room when he realizes that they have come to visit and give him a medal (159). He is furious because the generals that give him the medal have their arms and legs and can see, talk, smell, and taste (160). He knows that these generals have never really been seriously injured in a battle because all they have time to do is go around and give out medals to people that have got hurt. He is upset because they don’t know what it is like to be injured, but yet they are giving out the medals to people they feel are deserving.

True/False

Question: Joe was moved to a new room during the third year. True or False?

Answer: True (p. 154)

Short Answer

Question: Joe realizes that ____________ are a very important way of communication and it is what he uses to tell the height, weight, distance, and time.

Answer: Vibrations (p. 161)

Multiple Choice

Question: What does to nurse do to stop Joe from tapping?

A. Give him medication

B. Put her hand on his chest

C. Put her hand on his forehead

Answer: C (p. 164)

Discussion:

Why do you think Joe wants the generals to see his body and how is Joe’s body a symbol?

Answer: Joe wants the generals to see his body because he wants them to see how badly was hurt. He wants to show them that war is not the best answer to problems because men get hurt and even killed. This is used as a symbol of how the new war technology is inhumane. Men are getting severely injured and killed in battle because they are fighting for something that Joe cannot even define.

Yichuan Sun CP.19

T/F Question:
Johnny thinks that he can be taken outside the hospital.
Answer: F

Choice
Why Johnny’s body still can communicate have to be the secrete.
A. for the research of science
B. for the generals can still recruit men for fight wars.
C. for his health
D. for the nurse.
Answer: B

Short Answer
Jonny is trying to use the _____ to connect others.
Answer: Morse code.

Discussion
What make this tragedy happen?
War totally destroyed Johnny’s life. Even he lost his 80% of his ability to doing anything. Because the war was still going, Generals need more men for the war, the war don’t allow Johnny to die.

Questions for Ch. 15 of Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo
Questions by Shayla Sorrells and Melissa Lingsch

True of False:
Q:Joe uses a method of tapping in hopes that someone will understand him?
A: True, Joe taps in hopes that someone will understand him.

Multiple Choice:
Q: What does Joe realizes as he slips into unconsciousness from the sedative?
A. Everything is going to be okay
B. The doctors are trying their best to help him get better
C. They gave him the sedative to shut him up and they “have won”
D. The doctor is giving him the sedative so he can sleep better

A: C. They gave him the sedative to shut him up and they “have won”

Short Answer:
Q:As the doctor approaches the room, how does Joe try to make him understand he does not want a sedative?
A: He tries to shake his head to let the doctor know he doesn’t want one.

Critical Thinking Question: (individual answers will vary)
Q: Joe compares himself to different slaves through history, because he has nothing else to do while he waits. If you were in this situation, would your thoughts be like Joe’s or do would your thoughts be different? Would you compare your situation to that of a slaves or would you try to think in a more positive manner?

A: Whatever the student responds about how they would feel

Questions for Ch. 15 of Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo
Questions by Shayla Sorrells and Melissa Lingsch

True of False:
Q:Joe uses a method of tapping in hopes that someone will understand him?
A: True, Joe taps in hopes that someone will understand him.

Multiple Choice:
Q: What does Joe realizes as he slips into unconsciousness from the sedative?
A. Everything is going to be okay
B. The doctors are trying their best to help him get better
C. They gave him the sedative to shut him up and they “have won”
D. The doctor is giving him the sedative so he can sleep better

A: C. They gave him the sedative to shut him up and they “have won”

Short Answer:
Q:As the doctor approaches the room, how does Joe try to make him understand he does not want a sedative?
A: He tries to shake his head to let the doctor know he doesn’t want one.

Critical Thinking Question: (individual answers will vary)
Q: Joe compares himself to different slaves through history, because he has nothing else to do while he waits. If you were in this situation, would your thoughts be like Joe’s or do would your thoughts be different? Would you compare your situation to that of a slaves or would you try to think in a more positive manner?

A: Whatever the student responds about how they would feel

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Shayla and Melissa,

Why do you two have both of your names on the same assignment?

I didn’t give permission for “team” answers. You are the only two in the class who did this. In fact, I specifically told the class that if you had the same chapter as someone else, I would expect a completely different set of question from each person.

I can’t give you credit for the assignment as it is.

Make some suggestions (by e-mail) for what you can do to rectify the situation.

--Lee Hobbs

Chapter 16

Question 1. True or False: Joe feels his muscles relaxing because he has just been drugged.
Answer: True (p. 185-186)

Question 2: Please choose the letter which best answers the question:
What number could Christ never hit in blackjack?
A. 21
B. 7
C. 12
D. 13
Answer: 12 (p.190)

Question 3: Fill in the blank with the word that best completes the sentence:
“ She stared right through the wise men who had come with presents. She hugged her baby closer. Her eyes were filled with ____ and ____ for the little baby.”

Answer: pain and fear (p. 208)

Question 4: Briefly discuss the similarities between the Virgin Mary’s reaction towards baby Jesus and Joe’s mother (or mother‘s of soldiers in general).

Answer. On page 208 we can see that Mary knows the fate of Christ before he is even born. She holds him with fear, pain, and sadness in her heart because she loves her son and knows what he shall endure. However, she must do God’s will and raise him, all the while knowing she must give him up to death but maybe not knowing how gruesome it would be. Similarly, Joe’s mother and mother’s of all the soldiers gave their sons life but knew their children would face hardships. Even though they are aware of hardships I’m sure they never imagined giving their sons up to almost certain death for the military, yet, they know they must endure this because it is their “duty” as American citizens and mothers.

Shantavia B
Chap. 19
1. Joe never finds a way to communicate
False
2. The first question Joe hears:
a. What’s your name?
b. What’s wrong?
c. What do you want?
d. None of the above

3. What “things” does Joe wish to ask for from the hospital?
He wishes for limbs, to be outside, and to be in an exhibit.

4. Is it truly cruel for them to try to communicate his wants?
It is cruel because he can’t have the things he wants so it serves as both a positive and a negative.

Amanda S.

1) Question: True or False: Joe finally communicates with one of the nurses.

Answer: True- Page 213

2) Question: What does Joe feel he is trapped in?

a) a closet

b) a casket

c) a mask

Answer: B-Page 214

3) Question: What were the Morse codes man's first words to Joe?

Answer: "What do you want?" - Page 217-218

4) Question: Discuss some of the steps the new nurse took to figure out what it was that Joe wanted. What would you have done differently to communicate with Joe?

Answer: She began to do things. She slipped the urinal and bed pan one at a time under the covers and touched it against his body. She adjusted his breathing tube in his throat and she touched his bandage which covered the hole in his side. She rubbed his body and his forehead. She scratched his scalp and loosened the cord which held the mask over his face. All of these things she tried and Joe shook his head "no" after each incident. - Page 210-211

Answers may very. Add own ideas.

~Amanda S.

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