1. According to Chapter 14, parents suffer from the one of the following in a similar fashion to children.
(a) Separation anxiety.
(b) Fear of abandonment.
(c) Insecurity about themselves.
(d) Oedipus complex.

2. According to Chapter 12, growing up involves giving up what illusion?
(a) That death is inevitable.
(b) That the universe revolves around us.
(c) That our parents are perfect.
(d) That friendship is infallible.

3. What is the name of the son in Death of a Salesman that Viorst uses as an example of the restricting roles some parents foist on their children?
(a) Biff.
(b) Jeff.
(c) Jonathan.
(d) William.

4. Why does Viorst say we "need the controls provided by guilt"?
(a) To take care of ourselves.
(b) To understand unhappiness.
(c) To live a healthy life.
(d) To build relationships with other people.

5. What is the "corporate characteristic" that Viorst mentions in Chapter 15?
(a) A family's community involvement.
(b) A family's business or legacy.
(c) A family's medical history.
(d) A family's collective character.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Viorst, we not only try to re-live the good experiences from our past, but also seek to re-create the bad ones in an effort to do what?

2. What Christmas gift caused Brooke Hayward so much anguish when asked if her little sister could play with it?

3. Which philosopher does Viorst quote in Chapter 14?

4. Who once said, "God ordains that every genius shall have an illness at forty"?

5. "Our conscience is our _____________ installed in our mind."

(see the answer key)

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