Challenge 401

And in the Center Ring...

1. In Bob Brill’s Rod, Rex and Rhoda:

   1. Why is it no surprise that Mr. Pumphrey comes to the aid of Rod, Rex and Rhoda?
   2. The story ends with Rod, Rex and Rhoda living happily ever after, so to speak, as circus performers. What is the irony in the part of their act where Rex “guesses” the number on the card Rhoda holds?
   3. In what way might the story itself be seen as a kind of circus?

2. In Atlee Lang’s “Utopia”:

   1. Does the ending “And finally, I understand / That heaven can’t be made by men” imply that only hell can be made by men?
   2. What concept of human nature is implied by the good and evil visions of “utopia”?
   3. Would you say “Utopia” is pessimistic (‘Progress isn’t possible’) or cynical (‘People are no damn good’)?

3. In A. R. Norris’ “To the Meadow’s Edge”:

   1. The story appears to be a moral tale for relatively young readers. How young do you think a reader can be and still understand the vocabulary and concepts?
   2. Does the story promote a fatalistic world view?
   3. In what way might the story be read as a response to Atlee Lang’s “Utopia”?

4. In Fehmida Zakeer’s “Voices in Her Head,” Deena hears voices that are both friendly and unfriendly. What kind of real-life setting might explain her experience?

5. Is G. Alex Harris’ “The Boy Who Couldn’t Fly” a tragedy or does young Paul simply have a run of very bad luck?

Responses welcome!

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