Killing Mr.Griffin DQ'S 1-5

Killing Mr. Griffin Study Guide 1

CHAPTER ONE
1. Briefly identify the children in the McConnell family.
Twins-7 Craig-12 Susan-Jr. in Highschool Mom Dad


2. What does Susan mean by “someday”?
Her fantasy of another life


3. Who is David Ruggles? How does Susan feel about him?
President of the senior class and she likes him


4. Several other students of Room 117 are introduced. Briefly identify them.
Mark-friend of Jeff and David Jeff-Basketball team Betsy-Cheerleader


5. In the classroom scene, what emphasizes Susan’s feelings of being an outsider?
She isn't real talkative and she moves to the other side of the room


6. Two teachers are introduced. Briefly identify them.
Mr.Griffin-Strict teacher Mrs.Luna- Wants to be kids friends

7. Mr. Griffin is very strict and stern with the students. Do you think these qualities make
him a good teacher? Briefly explain your answer.
No, I believe it hurt him in the long run because the kids quit liking him and he didn't show much respect. If he was nicer it would make him easier to teach.

8. An allusion is when a writer refers to a person, place, poem, book, or movie that the
reader, is expected to recognize. Find an example of allusion in this chapter.
Hamlet


9. In what ways does Susan think she and the dying female in Hamlet are similar?
She feels like she's not really there and she feels ugly and not talkative at all


10. A metaphor is a comparison of two things that are basically unlike, in order to create a
sharp picture. In this first chapter find the metaphor involving a bird that helps the author
define how Susan is feeling about her life.
A bird smacks into the window and stays suspended and falls. It explains Susans life to not being exactly a person yet.
11. Jeff says, “That Griffin’s the sort of guy you’d like to kill.” Why doesn’t Susan think he is serious?
She didn't take it serious because he's only a kid and kids are not always serious


12. Frequently, objects which seem inconsequential when first mentioned become an
important part of the plot later. In the last six paragraphs do you notice any object that might be foreshadowed?
He took out the pill bottle and took a pill in class


CHAPTER TWO
1. Why does Mark say the following? “Jeff’s done a neat job of lining us up for a mass flunkout.”
Because Jeff said that he should just drop dead and was the one to plan killing Mr.Griffin


2. Explain Mark’s special dislike of Mr. Griffin.
Mr.Griffin made him beg to come back into class


3. “Jeff had seen that look before, and it always meant something.” What look does Jeff see? What does Jeff think it means?
The sparkling of his gray eyes and it's the look he gives when he wants to hurt somebody


Why do Jeff and Betsy go along with Mark’s plan to kidnap Mr. Griffin?
They didn't think it was serious and that it was just a joke


Why does Mark believe Dave will go along with the plan?
He likes a challenge and has nothing to lose


What does Mark know about Susan that makes him think she will be their decoy?
nobody will suspect her and she likes david


7. A flashback is a scene that interrupts the ongoing action to show an event that happens
earlier. Briefly describe the flashback in this chapter. Explain why the author chooses to
include it.
He goes back and remembers killing of the cat by Mark and author includes about Mark and how he feels about people

What is implied, but never stated, about Mark’s “transformation”?
He is a physcopath really and he really has nothing to lose by hurting somebody

CHAPTER THREE
The members of David’s family are introduced. Briefly identify them.
Mom-works hard as secretary Grandma-loves green jello and acts like a invalid Dad-left when david was young and went to Stanford


Why does David think he needs a good education?
He is going to have to support his family


Find the metaphor in this chapter that helps illustrate the emptiness of David’s life.
It's the description of his living room and how nobody uses it


Support or refute the following statement:
David goes along with Mark because he dislikes Mr. Griffin and needs a better English
grade to get into law school.
Yeah, he has to have the grade or he's in trouble


CHAPTER FOUR
Why are Saturday’s special for Susan?
She gets to escape her family and she doesn't have to go to school


2. Find a quotation in the chapter that illustrates the idea that Susan feels a part of the picnic
group.
That suddenly and "That easily she felt like one of them".


Who is Lana?
Marks old girlfriend and Mr.Griffin is responsible for break up


How does Susan feel about Mark before the picnic?
She is scared of him

A symbol is an object, person, or place that has a meaning in itself and that also stands
for something larger than itself. How may the eyeglasses be a symbol in this chapter?
She took her glasses off and when she does that she is not seeing clearly

6. Foreshadowing is also used to create interest and build suspense. Since this is a mystery
story, there are many examples of foreshadowing. Find an example of foreshadowing in
this chapter that lets the reader know Susan is going to have problems.
She said she has never been happy in her life

CHAPTER FIVE
How does the author illustrate Kathy Griffin’s stubborn personality?
She made breakfast and she did it independently

Briefly explain Mr. Griffin’s reason for leaving Stanford to teach high school.
He wanted to help the people write before they get there


What does Mr. Griffin think about Susan?
She's a talented writer but lazy

Why is Kathy Griffin upset by her husband’s description of Dolly?
Kathy wasn't the perfect student either.

How does her husband make her feel better?
He said she's real and loves her


Why does Mrs. Griffin want Brian to compliment Susan on her writing?
Because kids need compliments for a motivational boost

Find an example of foreshadowing in this chapter.
Mrs.Griffin felt like the kiss was the last kiss and final goodbye

8. Why do you suppose the pills are mentioned again? Why does the author bother
mentioning his tie?
It's a prescription the man needs and the tie gives him dignity

We learn that Mrs. Griffin is pregnant. How does she hope having a child will change her husband? Why might the author have added the pregnancy into the story.
Maybe he will not be as critical with his own kid and be more understanding