ETHAN+STANTON-+THE+BEST+PAGE+OF+ALL

__**Literary Luminary: 1-50**__

“…and he took the pistol from his belt and laid it on the cloth” page 5 Why does the father (I assume) have the gun ready at all times in a barren landscape? I see thte point in having one but to be on the defensive so much? Have him and the boy encountered others that threatened their safety?

“Then they set out along the blacktop in the gun-metal light, shuffling through the ash, each the other’s world entire.” Page 6 What does each the other’s world entire mean?

"He watched the boy sleeping. Can you do it? When the times comes? Can you?" Page 29 Based on what you've read, what do you think //it// is?

"He said the right dreams for a man in peril were dreams of peril and all else was the call of languor and of death." Page 18


 * __Connection Master/Discussion Director: 50-102__**

On page 51, why do you think it was important for the father at this stage in the book to let go of his past identity belongings?

What on earth is the father's relationship like with his (supposed) wife?

Between pages 55-58, what do you predict that could possibly have need for her to do such a thing?

What do you think the people in the hazardous suits are trying to do? (clearly they are not friendly)

Based on the weather patterns in the book, do you think the origin of the cold is north and by going south they can stay warm (towards the equator)?

//I once threw a picture of myself away not because it was messed up but I don't like to have many pictures of myself. I like to keep my identity as safe as possible.// //When the son saw the boy and it wasn't really there, I have had times where I have had hallucinations of things I want at a certain time. (like seeing water on a very hot day, etc...)//

//When the father was almost certain that someone was following them- I almost always have that feeling and can't help but look behind me occasionally (You never know who's there.)//

__**Discussion Director: 102-154**__

On page 114, he re-iterates to the reader "Can you do it? When the time comes?" but distinctly mentions "Could you crush that beloved skull with a rock?" Do you think the father can actually bring himself to kill his son, is only will to live, if need be?

What reason would they have to go south? Towards the coast line to find a boat? To escape the cold by heading closer to the equator? Take some guesses.

On page 127, the son asks the father if the group of people they found at the bottom of the first bunker if they where going to eat one another. The father first replies he doesn't know, then when the boy asks again he says yes. Why do you think he does this?

On page 113, the father tried to leave his son in order to protect him, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Reflecting back to question 1, do you think this may foreshadow his actions if he need to kill his son?

HARDCORE MODE: On page 154, the father say a part of him wished he never opened the second bunker. He is trying so hard to protect his son-Why would he wager their lives in a bet of hope? Do you think that luck is on their side?

__**Vocabulary Master: 154-230**__

Bivouacked: A temporary camp usually in an un-sheltered area. 168

Kudzu: A reddish-green weed that is common in the United States. 177

Trundling- A rolling motion or noise. 181

Dessicated: to dry out to the point of no moisture. 184

__**Literary Luminary: 230-END**__

246- "Like God? Yeah. maybe somebody like that." Why would the boy care to have God know where they are?

272- "What's the bravest thing you ever did?...Getting up this morning..." Why would something like that be so hard?

281- "Goodness will find the little boy. It always has. It will again." What meaning do you think is in the father's last words?