The Boarder by Jennifer Gelbard (p. 109) Teacher s Page Plot Summary This story is told by Mindy, a child who believes in her father s ideas even though she doesn t fully understand them. Her sister, Lisa, is more skeptical. As the story opens, Mindy s father is hanging a Room for Rent sign, and he and Mindy are discussing Netty, a former boarder who left mysteriously. At dinner that night, Mindy spills some potatoes on her new dress. Her father punishes her by pouring scalding water on her palms, a traditional punishment in this family. A new boarder arrives looking for a room. Before renting to him, the father insists he take the oath, I m willing to be scorched for my sins. The next night, the new boarder begins to eat before the blessing is said. The father grabs his hands and holds them while the mother pours scorching water on his palms. The next morning, the boarder leaves without a word. Mindy cannot understand why he leaves. Interpreting the Story 1. Often in stories, we expect the narrator to speak for the author. However, in this story Mindy clearly does not speak for the author. Mindy is honest enough, but her loyalty to her father overpowers her judgment. Invite students to figure out how we know Mindy does not speak for the author. They will point out that the punishment of scorching, which Mindy approves of, is barbaric. They will note that all the boarders leave as soon as they are scorched for the first time, indicating that even in the world of the story, scorching is unacceptable. Mindy wakes the new boarder at five A.M. and seems surprised that he is upset. Her sister Lisa, who opposes scorching, has a more realistic idea of when to wake a boarder. The students will also note that Mindy encourages her parents to punish the boarder. 2. Examine the narrator s voice. How does the writer use sentence structure and word choice to create a young and naive narrator? Find specific examples. 3. Contrast Mindy s and Lisa s feelings about the scorching. Mindy doesn t like the pain of the punishment, but she admires its uniqueness. She cannot understand why the boarders don t accept it. Lisa thinks scorching is wrong and tries to prevent people from getting scorched. 4. This satiric piece is subtle because the narrator does not speak directly for the author. In fact, as we have seen, the narrator s views run counter to the author s. Consequently, it may be difficult for students to identify the target of this satire. Invite the students to try to figure out what, exactly, is being attacked in this piece. They may point out that this story shows how parents can convince their children to follow absurd rules. Students may also point out that people who hold power sometimes do not use that power wisely. Responding Creatively to the Story Invite students to experiment with writing satire by picking an issue they have strong feelings about and creating a character who holds the opposite view. Invite the students to write a monologue from the point of view of the character. As we listen to the narrator, it should become clear that the narrator does not speak for the author. The activities on the will assist the students with this assignment. There is always a danger in writing satire that the reader will not get the point of the satire. For example, some readers think The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn promotes racism, though a more careful reading reveals the novel actually condemns slavery and racism. Bearing this in mind, you may want to limit the topics your students use to practice their own satiric voices. A school rule, for example, might make a safer target than some controversial social issues such as abortion or affirmative action. On the other hand, more mature students may enjoy attempting to write satirically about these significant issues. Guide to White Knuckles 22 The Boarder
Teacher s Page Connecting with Cultural Values and Students Lives These questions may guide your students to a deeper understanding of how the story relates to their own lives. The discussion of the story may also be used to foster the positive values of tolerance, respect for others, and thinking about consequences. 1. In order for people to live together, every society needs rules. What has gone wrong with the rules in the story? 2. To what extent should a person s right to carry out strong religious convictions be protected? Should the father in the story be stopped from scorching his kids? From scorching boarders? Why, or why not? Vocabulary from The Boarder Because The Boarder is told faithfully from the point of view of a child, there are no difficult vocabulary words. Brainteasers for Critical Thinking 1. What do you know about this family, and what impressions do you have up to the point where Mindy spills the potatoes? Do you find clues in dialogue and/or setting that hint at the nature of this family and its members? 2. How has the scorching rule affected Mindy? Lisa? Had you been brought up by these parents, how do you think it might have shaped you? Is it conceivable to you that the scorching rule could have any positive results? If so, what might they be? Other than disfigured palms, what are some likely negative effects? 3. What do you find most disturbing about this family? Do you judge Father to be demented, sadistic, and/or a religious fanatic? Or do you see him as simply strict, rigid, authoritarian? There is a scriptural passage enjoining wives to be subject to their husbands. Is it possible that Mother is just obeying this law, or does she seem to be of like mind with Father? 4. If you were the prospective boarder, would you have taken the oath? Flat-out refused? Asked for further details? Try to imagine how you would have reacted and defend your position. 5. To what extent should parents be allowed to discipline their own children? Do you agree with Father that some kind of physical punishment is needed to make an impression, or are nonviolent alternatives equally or more effective? Would you call this a case of child abuse? Of well-meaning parents, simply adhering to their religious convictions? Do the scorchings bring to mind any other controversial situations you have encountered in real life or in the media? Guide to White Knuckles 23 The Boarder
Before You Read 1. List three current issues about which you have a strong opinion. 1. 2. 3. 2. Choose one of the issues and briefly outline your opinion. Issue: Your opinion: 3. Describe a character who might hold the opposite view from yours. What might this person think? What mightthis person be like? Guide to White Knuckles 24 The Boarder
Before You Read continued 4. Write a monologue in which your character explains his/her views and gives examples. It should become clear to the reader that this character s views are not the writer s views. Use the back of this paper if necessary. Connecting with Other Stories In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Huck often expresses views which are clearly not the views of Twain. For example, Huck, at least at the beginning of the novel, thinks slavery is admirable. In another famous book, Gulliver s Travels by Jonathan Swift, the narrator, Gulliver, is so naive that he does not fully understand the evils he encounters on his journeys. Reading Check for The Boarder Circle the letters of all correct answers. Some questions may have more than one correct answer. 1. Mr. Gray attracts boarders by a. advertising in the newspaper b. hanging a sign on the front of the house c. posting signs at the bus stop d. advertising at the local college 2. Netty Holmes was a a. boarder the whole family liked b. nice woman c. boarder who stayed for ten years d. criminal 3. Bart Hendricks gets in trouble for a. saying bad words b. stealing c. eating before prayers d. spilling soup on the carpet 4. After his hands are scorched, Bart Hendricks a. vows to sue Mr. Gray b. punches Mr. Gray c. leaves without speaking d. calls a press conference Guide to White Knuckles 25 The Boarder
Language Study in Context: Punctuating Dialogue Quotation marks help the reader tell when a character s exact words are being used. Recopy the passage below, putting quotation marks, commas, and capital letters in the appropriate places. You ll also need to add periods and question marks. Remember to start a new paragraph whenever a different character speaks. Check your work against the story on page 115. Going to work today, Mr. Hendricks Yes ma am Mr. Hendricks reached for a piece of French toast and put it on his plate. Daddy and Mama glared at the boarder as he gobbled it down. We didn t say the prayer yet! I hollered. Mr. Hendricks! Mother gasped. Eating without giving thanks. You re an ungrateful fool roared Daddy. Stop, Daddy yelled Lisa. He didn t know! Mr. Hendricks dropped his fork on his plate. Sorry he remarked with his hands up. I didn t know. Shame on you. You don t say thanks at home either, do you I scolded. Get up yelled Father. What s going on I said I was sorry. Guide to White Knuckles 26 The Boarder