3. Ruth does not have many memories of her father, but she can recall one afternoon when she helped a _______ deliver its baby how her father patted her on the head and told her she was a good farmer.

4. Ruth recalls how her mother often told her her father's leaving was whose fault?

5. May was the oldest of ________ children and therefore had the burden of the chores placed on her shoulders.

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Ruth is moved up to a normal English class?

2. How did May come to spend a great deal of time with Willard Jenson?

3. Why does Ruth begin working for Miss Finch?

4. Who is Dee Dee Foote? What does Dee Dee Foote bring out in May?

5. How does Ruth's time at Miss Finch's affect her?

6. What is the one happy memory Ruth has of her family?

7. Why does Ruth believe the people in town must feel sorry for her and her family?

8. Describe Ruth's first meeting with Aunt Sid.

9. How does Ruth meet Ruby?

10. What happens between Randall and Ruth? What happens at about the same time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ruth learns she is pregnant.

Part 1) How do May and Ruby react to this news? Why do they react this way?

Part 2) Is this pregnancy a good idea? Why or why not? How does this pregnancy and Justin's birth both help and hurt this family?

Part 3) Would this family have survived if Justin had not been born? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

May is very controlling of Justin.

Part 1) Describe this controlling behavior. How does it compare to her behavior toward her children when they were young?

Part 2) Why does she act this way? Should she act this way? Why or why not?

Part 3) When have you tried to control a situation you were in? Why did you do this? How were you affected by this controlling behavior? How did your behavior affect others?