Chapter 25 ~Annissa Fitch

True/ False 1. Beth goes horseback riding with her sister-in-law, Audrey. 2. Audrey and Cal both agree that Beth has a difficult time with showing emotion. 3. Beth and Cal had argued before arriving to her brother’s house. 4. Conrad is staying with his grandparents while Beth and Calvin are away. 5. Beth had emotionally broken down sometime after Conrad’s suicide attempt.

1. False. 2. False. 3. True. 4. True 5. True. Answers: 1. False. 2. False. 3. True. 4. True 5. True.

Summary While on their way to Beth’s brother and sister-in law’s house, Calvin and Beth have a brief argument. Beth comes to the conclusion to not have any big discussions and basically to relax and have fun. For most of the chapter both Cal and Audrey, Beth’s sister-in-law, have a conversation while Beth and her brother go horseback riding. Audrey mentions that Beth has somewhat been distant when they talked but Calvin remembers how Beth had once shown her true side when he found her in the middle of an emotional breakdown after Conrad tried to commit suicide. Calvin also thinks about his son’s death and how he, nor his wife, showed any expression at the time they heard the news of the accident. Calving realizes how he had been sitting with Audrey and once she asks if he is alright he states how things are fine. Later, Ward returns home with Beth and also asks how Conrad is doing, he lets Beth answer and the conversation turns back to horseback riding.

Quote “..Please let’s just not have any big discussions, let’s just relax and have fun for a change..” ~This quote is stated by Beth who basically explains to Cal how she doesn’t want to to worry about what is currently going on. When she says “have fun for a change” she’s directly pointing out how stressful and how tiring everything had been for her. In a way, she wants to avoid what is happening in reality for her and Cal.

Change Cal has begun to change because of explaining how he feels to Beth, he agrees with her to just have a good time and doesn’t talk about what is currently going on.

Major Conflict There is a conflict between Beth and Cal, were Cal wants to talk about Conrad but Beth would rather enjoy herself and not worrying about anything.

Literary Terms “Well, we got a few problems to iron out yet,” Ward says…(Hyperbole, Pg 206) “A night in August, hot and sticky.” (Imagery, Pg 203) “That murderous, lead-colored moon.”(Personification, Pg 204) “Enough to rob them of happiness, of security of the easy peace of mind that is nothing but lucky accident..”(Irony, Pg 204) “..But his try about the conversation he had with Ray in the bar was greeted with stony silence.”(Hyperbole, Pg 202)

Settings This chapter takes place at Beth’s brother’s home and in their kitchen.

Discussion Questions 1.Did Beth fix any problems by telling Cal to relax and just have “fun for a change”? 2.Do you think Beth and Calvin were somewhat responsible for Jordan’s death because they let their two boys go boating without an adult?