Questions are mostly in chronological order, so keep reading to find the answers! Questions with an asterisk (*) should be answered with details from the whole text.
pp. 51-72
1. How do Perry and Dick act before they arrive in Holcomb?
2. What crime did Perry commit that landed him in jail?
3. What quality does Perry possess that Dick especially admires?
*4. Describe the morning after the murders. How did the people of Holcomb discover what happened and how did they react? How did the murders change their lives?
*5. Describe the murder scene. What did investigators find, in addition to the bodies?
6. What is strange about the bodies?
*7. Who are the possible suspects in the murders?
8. What happened with Mr. Clutter's new insurance policy?
9. How did Dick and Perry spend the day after the murders?
Pages 73-100
10. Who cleans up the Clutter's house? What did they find? What did they do with the "evidence?"
11. What experience and qualities does Alvin Dewey have that make him the perfect investigator for the Clutter murders?
*12. What two theories does Dewey develop about the crime? Which theory does he think is more likely?
13. Why didn't the dog, Teddy, sound the alarm when the intruders came onto the farm?
14. Why didn't Mr. Stoecklein hear the gunshots?
15. How did the photos of the crime scene help the investigation?
*16. Why does Perry keep reading the newspaper?
17. At the bottom of p. 86, Dick says, "O.K., maybe I had some wrong information." What wrong information do you think he had (we won't find out until later in the book)?
18. What "single connection" does Perry think will lead to their arrest?
19. Describe Perry's recurring dream and the "savior" that rescues him from bad situations.
20. What group of people does Perry hate and distrust above all others?
21. How do Dick and Perry get enough money to go to Mexico?
22. What kind of phone calls does Alvin Dewey get?
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
In Cold Blood: Comprehension Questions
Truman Capote takes special care in the first 50 pages to establish the characters. Make sure you can describe the characters of:
Mr. Clutter
Mrs. Clutter
Kenyon
Nancy
Dick Hickok
Perry Smith
How did the Clutters spend their last day?
What does Dick know about the Clutters and how does he know it?
What is the relationship is between Perry and Dick?
Where does Truman Capote get his information?
Can you find examples of foreshadowing - clues that Capote includes that shows the reader what is going to happen to the Clutters?
Mr. Clutter
Mrs. Clutter
Kenyon
Nancy
Dick Hickok
Perry Smith
How did the Clutters spend their last day?
What does Dick know about the Clutters and how does he know it?
What is the relationship is between Perry and Dick?
Where does Truman Capote get his information?
Can you find examples of foreshadowing - clues that Capote includes that shows the reader what is going to happen to the Clutters?
In Cold Blood - Vocabulary pp. 41-50
PAGE 41
contemptuous, adj. - feeling contempt or resentment
exhibition, n. - demonstration, showing
grave, adj. - serious
prim, adj. - proper, naive
portrait of Jesus - see In Cold Blood: Slideshow
forfeiting, v. - giving up
disheartened, adj. disappointed
PAGE 42
disenchanted, adj. - disillusioned
courting, v. - wooing
conformity, n. - trying to be like everyone else
flaw, n. - mistake, problem
faggots, n. - bundle of sticks
faggot, n. - derogatory term for a male homosexual
Billy Graham(cracker) - American religious leader
shallow adj. - not a deep-thinker
vicious, adj. - cruel
blusterer, n. - a wind bag, a person who talks a lot of "hot air"
PAGE 43
indictment, n. - criminal charge
PAGE 44
aftermath, n. - result
loitering, v. -hanging around
"No go", id. - slang for "it didn't work"
furtive, adj. - sketchy, suspicious
puky, adj. - bad (like puke, vomit)
five-'n'-dime - a store with cheap merchandise
PAGE 45
clinch, v. - ensure, close
PAGE 46
ruminations, n. - thoughts
billfold, n. - wallet
double indemnity, n. - if a person dies accidentally (not from suicide or natural causes), the can collect double the amount of an insurance policy
humour, n. - mood
PAGE 47
to and fro, adv. - back and forth
agoraphobic, adj. - characterized by a fear of crowds
PAGE 49
baritone horn, n. - a low brass instrument
probation, n. - a time of approval
fusses, n. - quarrels
tattle, n. - person who tells secrets, aka "tattle-tale"
PAGE 50
quibbled, v. quarrelled
cockeyed, adj. - when one eye is out of line with the other
recreation-room, n. - play room (aka, "rec room")
contemptuous, adj. - feeling contempt or resentment
exhibition, n. - demonstration, showing
grave, adj. - serious
prim, adj. - proper, naive
portrait of Jesus - see In Cold Blood: Slideshow
forfeiting, v. - giving up
disheartened, adj. disappointed
PAGE 42
disenchanted, adj. - disillusioned
courting, v. - wooing
conformity, n. - trying to be like everyone else
flaw, n. - mistake, problem
faggots, n. - bundle of sticks
faggot, n. - derogatory term for a male homosexual
Billy Graham(cracker) - American religious leader
shallow adj. - not a deep-thinker
vicious, adj. - cruel
blusterer, n. - a wind bag, a person who talks a lot of "hot air"
PAGE 43
indictment, n. - criminal charge
PAGE 44
aftermath, n. - result
loitering, v. -hanging around
"No go", id. - slang for "it didn't work"
furtive, adj. - sketchy, suspicious
puky, adj. - bad (like puke, vomit)
five-'n'-dime - a store with cheap merchandise
PAGE 45
clinch, v. - ensure, close
PAGE 46
ruminations, n. - thoughts
billfold, n. - wallet
double indemnity, n. - if a person dies accidentally (not from suicide or natural causes), the can collect double the amount of an insurance policy
humour, n. - mood
PAGE 47
to and fro, adv. - back and forth
agoraphobic, adj. - characterized by a fear of crowds
PAGE 49
baritone horn, n. - a low brass instrument
probation, n. - a time of approval
fusses, n. - quarrels
tattle, n. - person who tells secrets, aka "tattle-tale"
PAGE 50
quibbled, v. quarrelled
cockeyed, adj. - when one eye is out of line with the other
recreation-room, n. - play room (aka, "rec room")
Sunday, December 2, 2007
In Cold Blood - Vocabulary pp. 31-40
In Cold Blood Vocabulary, pp. 31-40
PAGE 31
haranguing, v. – harassing, annoying
wanton, adj. – indiscriminate
spittoons, n. – vessels that sit on the floor into which cowboys spit tobacco juice
unpatronised, adj. – empty of customers
amenities, n. – services
swell, adj. – good
PAGE 32
placid, adj. – calm, peaceful
menagerie, n. – zoo
hive, n. – a place where bees live
gospel, n. – here, probably the type of singing
Bible Belt, n. – area of the southeast United States that is particularly religious
Baptists, Methodists, Roman Catholics, Prebyterians, Episcopalians – religious denominations in the US
infiltrates, n. – people who come uninvited
patricians, n. – upper-class
PAGE 33
coterie, n. – clique, group of exclusive friends
chubby, adj. – fat in a cute way
plump, adj. – fat in a cute way
jolt, n. – shock
PAGE 34
pumpkins and squash, n. – Kürbis
hogtie, v. – to tie up like a pig
PAGE 35
quibbling, n. – quarreling
rankled, v. – bothered, upset
quandary, n. – problem, complication
PAGE 36
hope chest, n. – a chest in which a bride keeps things she'll need for her marriage
chintz, n. – fabric printed with large flowers
dourness, n. – gloom
Victrola, n. – old record player
hemp, n. – rope
lanky, adj. – tall and thin
hefty, adj. – strong
PAGE 37
blizzard, n. – snow storm
PAGE 38
mighty, adv. - very
standoffish, adj. - unsociable, unfriendly
dishevelled, adj. - messy, untidy
spade, n. - shovel
PAGE 39
frolicked, v. - played
strawberry, adj. - red (roan) horse
dahlia, n. - a large showy flower
PAGE 40
needling, ger. - repeating the same pointed comment over and over again (like a tattoo needle)
unorthodox, adj. - unusual
PAGE 31
haranguing, v. – harassing, annoying
wanton, adj. – indiscriminate
spittoons, n. – vessels that sit on the floor into which cowboys spit tobacco juice
unpatronised, adj. – empty of customers
amenities, n. – services
swell, adj. – good
PAGE 32
placid, adj. – calm, peaceful
menagerie, n. – zoo
hive, n. – a place where bees live
gospel, n. – here, probably the type of singing
Bible Belt, n. – area of the southeast United States that is particularly religious
Baptists, Methodists, Roman Catholics, Prebyterians, Episcopalians – religious denominations in the US
infiltrates, n. – people who come uninvited
patricians, n. – upper-class
PAGE 33
coterie, n. – clique, group of exclusive friends
chubby, adj. – fat in a cute way
plump, adj. – fat in a cute way
jolt, n. – shock
PAGE 34
pumpkins and squash, n. – Kürbis
hogtie, v. – to tie up like a pig
PAGE 35
quibbling, n. – quarreling
rankled, v. – bothered, upset
quandary, n. – problem, complication
PAGE 36
hope chest, n. – a chest in which a bride keeps things she'll need for her marriage
chintz, n. – fabric printed with large flowers
dourness, n. – gloom
Victrola, n. – old record player
hemp, n. – rope
lanky, adj. – tall and thin
hefty, adj. – strong
PAGE 37
blizzard, n. – snow storm
PAGE 38
mighty, adv. - very
standoffish, adj. - unsociable, unfriendly
dishevelled, adj. - messy, untidy
spade, n. - shovel
PAGE 39
frolicked, v. - played
strawberry, adj. - red (roan) horse
dahlia, n. - a large showy flower
PAGE 40
needling, ger. - repeating the same pointed comment over and over again (like a tattoo needle)
unorthodox, adj. - unusual
In Cold Blood Vocabulary, pp. 21-30
PAGE 21
resenting, v. particip. – feeling insulted by
sheaf, n. – several pages
penitentiary, n. – prison
hireling, n. – employee
sore, adj. – angry
PAGE 22
parson, n. – preacher
ineffable, adj. - unspeakable
parole, n. – release from prison
fraternity pin – a physical symbol of belonging to a college fraternity (brotherhood)
protégée, n. – student
lattice, n. – checkered, laced (see picture of cherry pie, p. 16)
bridal shower, n. – pre-wedding party for a bride, given by her girlfriends and female relatives
PAGE 23
keep s.o. company, id. – to spend time with
timidity, n. – shyness
elocution, n. – speaking
home-economics, n. – a class that teaches how to sew, cook, etc.
definition, n. – description, meaning for
efficient, adj. – capable
ethereality, n. – heaven-sent quality
spinster, n. – a woman who has never been married
wolfing, v. – eating quickly and greedily
PAGE 24
presently, adv. – SOON!!! (NOT now)
gewgaws, n. – knick-knacks, dustcatchers, trinkets
inflamed, v. particip. – inspired
not meant to be, id. – not destined to be, had no talent for
PAGE 25
plain, adj. – simple
well-to-do, adj. – wealthy, rich
cultivated, adj. – sophisticated
headed somewhere, v. – to be "unterweg"
dote on, v. – like, be captivated by
confinement, n. – time of bedrest after a birth
inexplicable, adj. – unable to be explained
despondency, n. – depression
altogether, adv. – completely
accumulated, v. – grew
cherished, v. – adored, liked
PAGE 26
sympathetic, adj. – feel the same feelings as someone else (NOT sympathisch)
cots, n. – temporary beds
dormitory, n. – a room for sleeping
PAGE 27
lodge, v. – stay
kinfolk, n. – relatives
snap, adj. – quick
austere, adj. – simple, modest, Spartan
bureau, n. – dresser, chest of drawers (could also be a writing desk)
offence, n. – insult
Vick's Vaporub, n. – a mentholated cream used against colds, aches, and toe fungus!
Kleenex, n. – tissues
sweltering, adj. – very hot
indisposed, adj. – unavailable
PAGE 28
declined, v. – refused
fatigued, adj. – tired
calico, adj. – fabric printed with flowers
grease-monkey, n. – a person who likes to work on cars and motors
sprucing up, id. – primping, making presentable
flimsy, adj. – limp
dingy, adj. (DIN-djee) – dirty
PAGE 29
disrobing, v. particip. – taking off one's clothes
welterweight, adj. – boxing classification
gremlin, n. – a small, devilish creature blamed for mechanical problems
concoctions, n. – creations, designs
serpentine, adj. – snake-like
PAGE 30
maimed, adj, particip. – visibly wounded, injured
chunky, adj. – thick, fat
khakis, n. – light brown cotton trousers
hitching posts , n. – where cowboys would tie up their horses
opulent, adj. – rich, fancy
razzle-dazzle, adj. – fancy
plushiest, adj. – most comfortable
resenting, v. particip. – feeling insulted by
sheaf, n. – several pages
penitentiary, n. – prison
hireling, n. – employee
sore, adj. – angry
PAGE 22
parson, n. – preacher
ineffable, adj. - unspeakable
parole, n. – release from prison
fraternity pin – a physical symbol of belonging to a college fraternity (brotherhood)
protégée, n. – student
lattice, n. – checkered, laced (see picture of cherry pie, p. 16)
bridal shower, n. – pre-wedding party for a bride, given by her girlfriends and female relatives
PAGE 23
keep s.o. company, id. – to spend time with
timidity, n. – shyness
elocution, n. – speaking
home-economics, n. – a class that teaches how to sew, cook, etc.
definition, n. – description, meaning for
efficient, adj. – capable
ethereality, n. – heaven-sent quality
spinster, n. – a woman who has never been married
wolfing, v. – eating quickly and greedily
PAGE 24
presently, adv. – SOON!!! (NOT now)
gewgaws, n. – knick-knacks, dustcatchers, trinkets
inflamed, v. particip. – inspired
not meant to be, id. – not destined to be, had no talent for
PAGE 25
plain, adj. – simple
well-to-do, adj. – wealthy, rich
cultivated, adj. – sophisticated
headed somewhere, v. – to be "unterweg"
dote on, v. – like, be captivated by
confinement, n. – time of bedrest after a birth
inexplicable, adj. – unable to be explained
despondency, n. – depression
altogether, adv. – completely
accumulated, v. – grew
cherished, v. – adored, liked
PAGE 26
sympathetic, adj. – feel the same feelings as someone else (NOT sympathisch)
cots, n. – temporary beds
dormitory, n. – a room for sleeping
PAGE 27
lodge, v. – stay
kinfolk, n. – relatives
snap, adj. – quick
austere, adj. – simple, modest, Spartan
bureau, n. – dresser, chest of drawers (could also be a writing desk)
offence, n. – insult
Vick's Vaporub, n. – a mentholated cream used against colds, aches, and toe fungus!
Kleenex, n. – tissues
sweltering, adj. – very hot
indisposed, adj. – unavailable
PAGE 28
declined, v. – refused
fatigued, adj. – tired
calico, adj. – fabric printed with flowers
grease-monkey, n. – a person who likes to work on cars and motors
sprucing up, id. – primping, making presentable
flimsy, adj. – limp
dingy, adj. (DIN-djee) – dirty
PAGE 29
disrobing, v. particip. – taking off one's clothes
welterweight, adj. – boxing classification
gremlin, n. – a small, devilish creature blamed for mechanical problems
concoctions, n. – creations, designs
serpentine, adj. – snake-like
PAGE 30
maimed, adj, particip. – visibly wounded, injured
chunky, adj. – thick, fat
khakis, n. – light brown cotton trousers
hitching posts , n. – where cowboys would tie up their horses
opulent, adj. – rich, fancy
razzle-dazzle, adj. – fancy
plushiest, adj. – most comfortable
In Cold Blood - Vocabulary pp. 11-20
PAGE 11
contrive, v. - bring about
envisioned, n. imagined
orchard, n. - garden of fruit trees
"felt up to things", id. - felt well enough to take part in daily activities
twitch, n. - quick tug
trespassers, n. people on your land without your permission
sentry, n. guard
vagabond, n. - homeless (person)
buckshot, n. - tiny pellets of lead used in hunting
quarry, n. - prey
PAGE 12
root beer, n. a non-alcoholic drink in the US, made of roots
chow-down, n. - a big meal
Phillips 66 - an American gas station
score, n. - here: a robbery
incessant, adj. - endless
conceiver - dreamer
thirty bucks - 30 dollars
Rajah - an Indian prince
PAGE 13
Treasure of the Sierra Madre - a Western film
prospector - person who looks for gold
bloodsuckers, n. - leeches
crouching, particip. v. - with bent knees
stunted, particip. v. - short, undeveloped
jockey, n. - professional rider of horses
hammered home, id. - made a point repeatedly
weighed upon him, id. - caused concern
PAGE 14
trance, n. - dreamlike state
butt, n. - Hinten
enthralled, v. - captivated
changeling, n. - see link
impish, adj. - devilish
Cherokee, n. - Indian tribe in the central U.S.
brilliantined, adj. - slicked back with hair oil
routed, v. - driven out
roguish, adj. - mischievous, devilish
mesmeric, adj. - hypnotic
whittling, v. - passing, spending
PAGE 15
pragmatic, adj. - practical
authentically, adv. - genuinely
reverie, n. - daydream
stoked, v. - fed
scampered, v. - ran quickly, like a squirrel
PAGE 16
champion cherry pie, n. - a dessert that won first prize (a blue ribbon) at a fair
confide, v. - tell secrets
haul, v. - drag, pull
enigma, n. - puzzle, mystery
pondered, v. - thought about
PAGE 17
peculiar, adj. - strange
brooding, adj. - sad, pensive
Evinrude, n. - name of a company that makes boat motors. Why is the cat called Evinrude?
surmounting, v. - rising above
cumbersome, adj. - awkward, bulky
flare-up, n. - quarrel, when emotions flare up like a fire
PAGE 18
amplification, n. - expansion, making larger
enrol, v. - to register for classes at a college
PAGE 19
embodied, v. - involved
grouchy, adj. - in a bad mood; cf. Oscar the Grouch
privileged, adj. - had special rights
vaster, adj. - larger
booster, n. - supporter
affront, n. - insult
PAGE 20
ludicrous, adj. -absurd
solace, n. - consolation, Trost
devotee, n. - fan
obscure, adj. -rare
contrive, v. - bring about
envisioned, n. imagined
orchard, n. - garden of fruit trees
"felt up to things", id. - felt well enough to take part in daily activities
twitch, n. - quick tug
trespassers, n. people on your land without your permission
sentry, n. guard
vagabond, n. - homeless (person)
buckshot, n. - tiny pellets of lead used in hunting
quarry, n. - prey
PAGE 12
root beer, n. a non-alcoholic drink in the US, made of roots
chow-down, n. - a big meal
Phillips 66 - an American gas station
score, n. - here: a robbery
incessant, adj. - endless
conceiver - dreamer
thirty bucks - 30 dollars
Rajah - an Indian prince
PAGE 13
Treasure of the Sierra Madre - a Western film
prospector - person who looks for gold
bloodsuckers, n. - leeches
crouching, particip. v. - with bent knees
stunted, particip. v. - short, undeveloped
jockey, n. - professional rider of horses
hammered home, id. - made a point repeatedly
weighed upon him, id. - caused concern
PAGE 14
trance, n. - dreamlike state
butt, n. - Hinten
enthralled, v. - captivated
changeling, n. - see link
impish, adj. - devilish
Cherokee, n. - Indian tribe in the central U.S.
brilliantined, adj. - slicked back with hair oil
routed, v. - driven out
roguish, adj. - mischievous, devilish
mesmeric, adj. - hypnotic
whittling, v. - passing, spending
PAGE 15
pragmatic, adj. - practical
authentically, adv. - genuinely
reverie, n. - daydream
stoked, v. - fed
scampered, v. - ran quickly, like a squirrel
PAGE 16
champion cherry pie, n. - a dessert that won first prize (a blue ribbon) at a fair
confide, v. - tell secrets
haul, v. - drag, pull
enigma, n. - puzzle, mystery
pondered, v. - thought about
PAGE 17
peculiar, adj. - strange
brooding, adj. - sad, pensive
Evinrude, n. - name of a company that makes boat motors. Why is the cat called Evinrude?
surmounting, v. - rising above
cumbersome, adj. - awkward, bulky
flare-up, n. - quarrel, when emotions flare up like a fire
PAGE 18
amplification, n. - expansion, making larger
enrol, v. - to register for classes at a college
PAGE 19
embodied, v. - involved
grouchy, adj. - in a bad mood; cf. Oscar the Grouch
privileged, adj. - had special rights
vaster, adj. - larger
booster, n. - supporter
affront, n. - insult
PAGE 20
ludicrous, adj. -absurd
solace, n. - consolation, Trost
devotee, n. - fan
obscure, adj. -rare
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
In Cold Blood - Vocabulary pp. 1-10
IN COLD BLOOD
Chapter 1 – The Last to see Them Alive
PAGE 1
prairie, n. - grassland
Stetson, n. – Cowboy hat
grain elevator, n. – a storage silo for grain
aimless, adj. – haphazard, unplanned
haphazard, adj. – unplanned, aimless
irrelevant, adj. – meaningless, useless
ramshackle, adj. – falling down
porch, n. – part of a house that is open where people sit and watch the traffic go by
PAGE 2
gaunt, adj. – thin
rawhide, n., adj. – untreated leather
melancholy, adj. – sad
meagrely supplied, adj. – having only a few items
"dry" adj. – a dry county is one where people can't buy alcohol
camouflage, v. – hides
prosperous, adj. – rich
precipitation, n. – rainfall
PAGE 3
exceptional, adj. – unusual, special
4-H Club, n. – a club for young farmers (head, heart, hands, health)
impinged, v. – disturbed
keening, adj. – shrill
tumbleweed, n. - you've seen them in Western films!
theretofore, adv. – up to that point in time
hued, adj. – colored
majored in, v. – studied as a main subject in college
prominent, adj. – well-known
county seat, n. – main city in a county (Gemeinde)
PAGE 4
Methodist, n., adj. - one of the 57 varieties of Protestantism in the U.S.
edifice, n. - building
mangled, particip., adj. – injured, twisted
fortnight, n. – two weeks
sizeable, adj. – large
Thanksgiving, n. – harvest festival celebrated on the third Thursday of November
disquiet, n. – concern
spells, n. – psychological problems
PAGE 5
customary, adj. – usual
credible, adj. – believable
vertebrae, n. – small bones which make up the spine
tension, n. – stress
withdrawals, n. – spending a lot of time alone
sobbing, n. – crying
unmarred, adj. – pure
clanging, particip., adj. – noisy
lingered, v. – stayed longer
exhilarating, particip., adj. – stimulating
accompanied, v. – went with
Tom Sawyer – A book by Mark Twain, made into a play
Southern belle – a Southern girl of good family who is very pretty and popular
PAGE 6
genial – pleasant, happy
"go steady" – to date someone exclusively
discontinue – stop
abrupt – sudden
severance – cutting off
Methodist –terminate – end
fancies – ideas
lamentably – sadly
PAGE 7
myriad, adj.- many (thousands)
sedate, adj. - calm
ample, adj. -large
spongy, adj. - soft, like a sponge
intermittently, adv. - off and on
glare, n. - shine
alcove, n. nook
acquaintances, n. -friends
chore, n. – activity, work
salt-rising bread, n – bread made with salted flour
Spartan, adj. - simple
PAGE 8
spirits, n. - alcohol
circumstance, n. fact
shrink, v. - to make smaller
abstemious, adj. - moderate in eating and drinking
making a nuisance of, id. - causing annoyance
harbouring, v. - hiding
pioneer, n. - early American settler
distributed, v. - gave
bonuses, - extra money, in addition to salary
rustled, v. caused s.t. to make noise
tawny, adj. lion colored
infinitude, n. endlessness
bristle, v. - stand stiffly
Indian Summer, n. - the last warm days of the fall season
PAGE 9
superior, adj. high-quality
mongrel, n. mixed breed dog
ambled, v. -walked slowly
adjacent, adj. - next to
premises, n. - grounds, property
mammoth, adj. -very large
pungent, adj. -smelly
Quonset hut, n - A warehouse made of a half-cylinder of metal
1935 to 1939 - the period of the Great Depression in the US
instruction, n. teaching
baiting, v. - luring into a fight
upstart - Frechdachs
PAGE 10
maize, n. - corn
Hereford, n. - type of cow
sick-un, colloq. n. - sick one (i.e., sick child)
luminously, adv.- glowing with an inner light
cottonwoods, n. - the Kansas state tree
perennials, n. - plants that grow year after year without replanting
Chapter 1 – The Last to see Them Alive
PAGE 1
prairie, n. - grassland
Stetson, n. – Cowboy hat
grain elevator, n. – a storage silo for grain
aimless, adj. – haphazard, unplanned
haphazard, adj. – unplanned, aimless
irrelevant, adj. – meaningless, useless
ramshackle, adj. – falling down
porch, n. – part of a house that is open where people sit and watch the traffic go by
PAGE 2
gaunt, adj. – thin
rawhide, n., adj. – untreated leather
melancholy, adj. – sad
meagrely supplied, adj. – having only a few items
"dry" adj. – a dry county is one where people can't buy alcohol
camouflage, v. – hides
prosperous, adj. – rich
precipitation, n. – rainfall
PAGE 3
exceptional, adj. – unusual, special
4-H Club, n. – a club for young farmers (head, heart, hands, health)
impinged, v. – disturbed
keening, adj. – shrill
tumbleweed, n. - you've seen them in Western films!
theretofore, adv. – up to that point in time
hued, adj. – colored
majored in, v. – studied as a main subject in college
prominent, adj. – well-known
county seat, n. – main city in a county (Gemeinde)
PAGE 4
Methodist, n., adj. - one of the 57 varieties of Protestantism in the U.S.
edifice, n. - building
mangled, particip., adj. – injured, twisted
fortnight, n. – two weeks
sizeable, adj. – large
Thanksgiving, n. – harvest festival celebrated on the third Thursday of November
disquiet, n. – concern
spells, n. – psychological problems
PAGE 5
customary, adj. – usual
credible, adj. – believable
vertebrae, n. – small bones which make up the spine
tension, n. – stress
withdrawals, n. – spending a lot of time alone
sobbing, n. – crying
unmarred, adj. – pure
clanging, particip., adj. – noisy
lingered, v. – stayed longer
exhilarating, particip., adj. – stimulating
accompanied, v. – went with
Tom Sawyer – A book by Mark Twain, made into a play
Southern belle – a Southern girl of good family who is very pretty and popular
PAGE 6
genial – pleasant, happy
"go steady" – to date someone exclusively
discontinue – stop
abrupt – sudden
severance – cutting off
Methodist –terminate – end
fancies – ideas
lamentably – sadly
PAGE 7
myriad, adj.- many (thousands)
sedate, adj. - calm
ample, adj. -large
spongy, adj. - soft, like a sponge
intermittently, adv. - off and on
glare, n. - shine
alcove, n. nook
acquaintances, n. -friends
chore, n. – activity, work
salt-rising bread, n – bread made with salted flour
Spartan, adj. - simple
PAGE 8
spirits, n. - alcohol
circumstance, n. fact
shrink, v. - to make smaller
abstemious, adj. - moderate in eating and drinking
making a nuisance of, id. - causing annoyance
harbouring, v. - hiding
pioneer, n. - early American settler
distributed, v. - gave
bonuses, - extra money, in addition to salary
rustled, v. caused s.t. to make noise
tawny, adj. lion colored
infinitude, n. endlessness
bristle, v. - stand stiffly
Indian Summer, n. - the last warm days of the fall season
PAGE 9
superior, adj. high-quality
mongrel, n. mixed breed dog
ambled, v. -walked slowly
adjacent, adj. - next to
premises, n. - grounds, property
mammoth, adj. -very large
pungent, adj. -smelly
Quonset hut, n - A warehouse made of a half-cylinder of metal
1935 to 1939 - the period of the Great Depression in the US
instruction, n. teaching
baiting, v. - luring into a fight
upstart - Frechdachs
PAGE 10
maize, n. - corn
Hereford, n. - type of cow
sick-un, colloq. n. - sick one (i.e., sick child)
luminously, adv.- glowing with an inner light
cottonwoods, n. - the Kansas state tree
perennials, n. - plants that grow year after year without replanting
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Living in a Black neighborhood in New Orleans
(This was written by a white friend who teaches in New Orleans)
I live here because I can't afford the rents in the white or mixed neighborhood. Since 80% of the housing in NOLA flooded after Hurricane Katrina, the rents rose dramatically and still have not come down. When I first moved back to NOLA in April 2006, I rented a 750 square foot apartment in a mixed neighborhood for $1,000 a month. I really couldn't afford the rent when I changed jobs, so last December I moved to my current apartment in the Black neighborhood. It is 1,100 square feet for $750.00. I am sure that my rent will rise when I renew my lease in December because property insurance has doubled and tripled, and my landlords will have to ask for more rent.
About three weeks ago I returned from church on Sunday to find over 200 people on my block. There were street vendors grilling hamburgers and sausages, neighbors were barbequeing chicken on their front porches, people were milling around. I never did find out the reason for the party--something to do with a woman's club that my neighbor belongs to. At one point there was a brass band coming down the street and a second-line parade. A second-line parade is a New Orleans thing. Usually they accompany a funeral procession. People follow the brass band, waving handkerchiefs while they dance to the music of the band. Second-line parades are closely watched by the police (there is a potential for violence with so many people participating) and the organizers have to get a parade permit and pay a fee. This was a peaceful block party.
Violence in New Orleans is worse than usual. There have been murders in my neighborhood. Usually the victim is gunned down over drugs. Yesterday morning, I witnessed the police arresting my neighbor, a young Black man.... there were four police cars. This was no ordinary traffic violation! I asked his mother what was going on. She said that her son was arrested for driving 60 mph down a thoroughfare. But then she said that the car was impounded and her son\'s girlfriend arrested as well! To me it sounds as though the police found drugs in the car. At any rate, friends and family visited my neighbor all afternoon and evening, until midnight. It seemded like a wake. I like her son very much; he is pleasant and has a dog. I hope that he is not mixed up with drugs.
I live here because I can't afford the rents in the white or mixed neighborhood. Since 80% of the housing in NOLA flooded after Hurricane Katrina, the rents rose dramatically and still have not come down. When I first moved back to NOLA in April 2006, I rented a 750 square foot apartment in a mixed neighborhood for $1,000 a month. I really couldn't afford the rent when I changed jobs, so last December I moved to my current apartment in the Black neighborhood. It is 1,100 square feet for $750.00. I am sure that my rent will rise when I renew my lease in December because property insurance has doubled and tripled, and my landlords will have to ask for more rent.
About three weeks ago I returned from church on Sunday to find over 200 people on my block. There were street vendors grilling hamburgers and sausages, neighbors were barbequeing chicken on their front porches, people were milling around. I never did find out the reason for the party--something to do with a woman's club that my neighbor belongs to. At one point there was a brass band coming down the street and a second-line parade. A second-line parade is a New Orleans thing. Usually they accompany a funeral procession. People follow the brass band, waving handkerchiefs while they dance to the music of the band. Second-line parades are closely watched by the police (there is a potential for violence with so many people participating) and the organizers have to get a parade permit and pay a fee. This was a peaceful block party.
Violence in New Orleans is worse than usual. There have been murders in my neighborhood. Usually the victim is gunned down over drugs. Yesterday morning, I witnessed the police arresting my neighbor, a young Black man.... there were four police cars. This was no ordinary traffic violation! I asked his mother what was going on. She said that her son was arrested for driving 60 mph down a thoroughfare. But then she said that the car was impounded and her son\'s girlfriend arrested as well! To me it sounds as though the police found drugs in the car. At any rate, friends and family visited my neighbor all afternoon and evening, until midnight. It seemded like a wake. I like her son very much; he is pleasant and has a dog. I hope that he is not mixed up with drugs.
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