Star Food
by: Ethan Canin
Interpretive Questions:
1.) Why does Dade spend so much time on the roof of the store?
Dade spends so much time on the roof of the store because he is avoiding work and is spending more time daydreaming and trying to engage in self discovery. He spends his time trying to figure out what he wants to do.
2.) Why does Dade try to confuse his father by looking at the clouds when his father speaks to him about his future?
Dade tries to look like he's thinking about the questions that are being asked and is avoiding them because he doesn't know what to say or how to answer.
3.) Why does Dade think that the discovery of what he wants will come to him when he is on the roof?
Dade thinks the discovery of what he wants will come to him on the roof because he thinks that the stars and universe will give him answers. The title of the story which is "Star Food" could not just be the title but could mean that the stars are food for his thoughts.
4.) Why does Dade finally tell his mother, “I’m not sure what my dreams are,…And I’m never going to discover anything”? (p. 147)
Dade tells this to his mother because he is losing hope in himself.
5.) Why does Dade feel “alone in the world” at the end of the story? (p. 150)
Dade feels alone because he feels like he has to please his dad but please his mom at the same time, but he doesn't know what to do.
6.) Why does Dade let the woman go after they go into the stockroom?
Dade lets the woman go after they go in the stockroom because he doesn't know what to say. "I tried to think of what to say to the woman." (pg. 149)
7.) Why does Dade feel that the woman who is shoplifting knows something about him?
Dade feels this way because he pities her because he understands that she is not stealing for fun but is stealing to survive. The woman knows that Dade is a good person and he is being understanding, so she does not take advantage of him and just takes what she needs.
8.) After he sees the air force jets, why does Dade decide that he wants the woman to be caught?
After seeing the air force jets, Dade wants the woman to be caught because the jets were a sign for him to take action and catch the shoplifter already.
9.) Why does Dade feel “strong and good” when he catches the woman but then feel “flushed…with remorse”? (p. 148)
dade feels this way when he catches the woman because he is having a moral dilemma. He wants to do what is right which is catching her and reporting her, but he wants to let her go, even though it is the wrong thin go do.
10.) Why does Dade walk with the woman after he lets her go?
Dade walks with the woman after he lets her go because he is avoiding his dad's wrath and probably does not want her going back and stealing again.
Dade spends so much time on the roof of the store because he is avoiding work and is spending more time daydreaming and trying to engage in self discovery. He spends his time trying to figure out what he wants to do.
2.) Why does Dade try to confuse his father by looking at the clouds when his father speaks to him about his future?
Dade tries to look like he's thinking about the questions that are being asked and is avoiding them because he doesn't know what to say or how to answer.
3.) Why does Dade think that the discovery of what he wants will come to him when he is on the roof?
Dade thinks the discovery of what he wants will come to him on the roof because he thinks that the stars and universe will give him answers. The title of the story which is "Star Food" could not just be the title but could mean that the stars are food for his thoughts.
4.) Why does Dade finally tell his mother, “I’m not sure what my dreams are,…And I’m never going to discover anything”? (p. 147)
Dade tells this to his mother because he is losing hope in himself.
5.) Why does Dade feel “alone in the world” at the end of the story? (p. 150)
Dade feels alone because he feels like he has to please his dad but please his mom at the same time, but he doesn't know what to do.
6.) Why does Dade let the woman go after they go into the stockroom?
Dade lets the woman go after they go in the stockroom because he doesn't know what to say. "I tried to think of what to say to the woman." (pg. 149)
7.) Why does Dade feel that the woman who is shoplifting knows something about him?
Dade feels this way because he pities her because he understands that she is not stealing for fun but is stealing to survive. The woman knows that Dade is a good person and he is being understanding, so she does not take advantage of him and just takes what she needs.
8.) After he sees the air force jets, why does Dade decide that he wants the woman to be caught?
After seeing the air force jets, Dade wants the woman to be caught because the jets were a sign for him to take action and catch the shoplifter already.
9.) Why does Dade feel “strong and good” when he catches the woman but then feel “flushed…with remorse”? (p. 148)
dade feels this way when he catches the woman because he is having a moral dilemma. He wants to do what is right which is catching her and reporting her, but he wants to let her go, even though it is the wrong thin go do.
10.) Why does Dade walk with the woman after he lets her go?
Dade walks with the woman after he lets her go because he is avoiding his dad's wrath and probably does not want her going back and stealing again.
Vocabulary:
1.) Appease
Quote: "To appease my father I cleaned the electric star, and though he often came outside to sweep, he stopped telling me to come down." (pg. 134)
Definition: to make happy, to satisfy
Synonym: content
Sentence: The girl thought she might appease her parents if she worked hard and got good grades.
2.) Competence
Quote: "For years my father had been trying to teach me competence and industry." (pg. 137)
Definition: sufficiency
Synonym: capability
Sentence: Competence was a skill that was required for the students.
3.) Retrospect
Quote: "I was standing in front of the counter, hands in my pockets, my mother's eyes watering over, the guard looking out the window at a couple of girls, everything revolving around the point of calm that, in retrospect, precedes surprises." (pg. 148)
Definition: contemplation of the past
Synonym: reconsideration
4.) Precedes
Quote: "I was standing in front of the counter, hands in my pockets, my mother's eyes watering over, the guard looking out the window at a couple of girls, everything revolving around the point of calm that, in retrospect, precedes surprises." (pg. 148)
Definition: to go before
Synonym: anticipate
5.) Remorse
Quote: "I held the woman tightly under her arm but despite this she moved in a light way, and suddenly, as we paused before the stockroom door, I felt as if I were leading her onto the dance floor. This flushed me with remorse. (pg. 148)
Definition: deep regret
Synonym: anguish, grief
Sentence: The criminal had finally felt remorse for his wrongdoings.
Quote: "To appease my father I cleaned the electric star, and though he often came outside to sweep, he stopped telling me to come down." (pg. 134)
Definition: to make happy, to satisfy
Synonym: content
Sentence: The girl thought she might appease her parents if she worked hard and got good grades.
2.) Competence
Quote: "For years my father had been trying to teach me competence and industry." (pg. 137)
Definition: sufficiency
Synonym: capability
Sentence: Competence was a skill that was required for the students.
3.) Retrospect
Quote: "I was standing in front of the counter, hands in my pockets, my mother's eyes watering over, the guard looking out the window at a couple of girls, everything revolving around the point of calm that, in retrospect, precedes surprises." (pg. 148)
Definition: contemplation of the past
Synonym: reconsideration
4.) Precedes
Quote: "I was standing in front of the counter, hands in my pockets, my mother's eyes watering over, the guard looking out the window at a couple of girls, everything revolving around the point of calm that, in retrospect, precedes surprises." (pg. 148)
Definition: to go before
Synonym: anticipate
5.) Remorse
Quote: "I held the woman tightly under her arm but despite this she moved in a light way, and suddenly, as we paused before the stockroom door, I felt as if I were leading her onto the dance floor. This flushed me with remorse. (pg. 148)
Definition: deep regret
Synonym: anguish, grief
Sentence: The criminal had finally felt remorse for his wrongdoings.
Thinking Map:
Dade Pleases Himself1.) Dade pleases himself by going on the roof and thinking
2.) He pleases himself by letting the shoplifter go 3.) Pleases himself by avoiding work by going on the roof and cleaning the light |
Dade Pleases Others1.) Dade his mom by staying on the roof and looking for a discovery
2.) Pleases dad by stocking the produce 3.) Pleases mom by letting the shoplifter go out back 4.) Pleases dad by catching the little kids who are stealing 5.) Pleases woman by letting her go and understanding |