Summer Reading Program

Reader's Guide - Honky by Dalton Conley

Chapter Sixteen: “Fire” (pages 173-82)

Content Questions:

1. What has Conley started up again, for the first time since Rahim’s death?
2. How is the game “fireman, waterman” played?
3. Who is blamed for the fire?  Why? 
4. What happens to Marc, the son of a Piratas coach?

Discussion Questions & Journal Ideas:

1. In what ways are Raphael and his family similar to the Conleys?  What contrasts can you draw?
2. How does Conley react to his parents’ decision not to punish him?  When his father says that Conley has learned “more than we can teach you” from the experience (181), what do you think he means?
3. Both the fire and the incident involving Marc teach Conley yet more lessons about race and class in America.  Explain what those lessons seem to be.

 

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