Discovery and Flight
Vocabulary
solonaceae - retribution - timidity - shingle - desolation - satchels - self-contempt - abasement - wretchedness
Analysis
1. In this chapter, David's character is described more completely. He is now at the crucial stage of boy-man, having characteristics of both stages. Give some examples of David's behaviour that show each stage.
2. There is something ironic in the fact that Sophie is discovered in a "good" season. What is meant with "ironic"? What might have happened if the crops and newborn animals had been deviant?
3. Give a short character description of the Inspector. Will he do his job if David is ever found out? Who is the greater threat to David, the Inspector or his father? Why?
4. On page 46, Mrs Wender says: "Oh, Johnny dear. Why are you so sweet to me, when all I've brought you is - ?" What does she mean with that? What does it say about the position of women in Waknuk society?
5. At the end of the chapter, David is full of bitterness, self-contempt, and abasement. Why is that so? Is he correct in feeling that way? Explain your answer carefully.
DAILY RECORDS
It would have been very unwise for David to keep a journal (or diary). The word journal means "an account of day-to-day events". It comes from the Latin word diurnalis, which means "pertaining to the day". Below are ten words that derive from diurnalis. See if you can put them in the appropriate blanks.
adjourned - journalese - journalism - dial - diary - journalists - journey - sojourn - dismal - diurnal
1. The judge _______________ the trial of the Wender's for three days. (suspended indefinitely or until a later stated time)
2. My parents plan to _______________ for a month at their country home. (stay temporarily)
3. By accident, David broke the _______________ on the old steam engine. (device to regulate the operation of a machine)
4. The _______________ of the "Waknuk Monthly" lacked depth. (collection, editing,