Exploring the Text

Access the text here.

  1. The story’s first 22 paragraphs offer quite a bit of exposition—things we need to know before the story starts. Do you think that much exposition is necessary? Explain why or why not. How would you describe the tone of the exposition, especially the first paragraph?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - The story’s first 22 paragraphs offer quite a bit of exposition—things we need to know before the story starts. Do you think that much exposition is necessary? Explain why or why not. How would you describe the tone of the exposition, especially the first paragraph?
  2. Compare and contrast the conversation Patty has with her mother (pars. 28–48) with the conversation she has with her coach (pars. 50–60). How is Patty’s role different in each? What is her internal reaction to each conversation? Which adult evokes a stronger response in her? Explain your answer.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Compare and contrast the conversation Patty has with her mother (pars. 28–48) with the conversation she has with her coach (pars. 50–60). How is Patty’s role different in each? What is her internal reaction to each conversation? Which adult evokes a stronger response in her? Explain your answer.
  3. In what ways is this a story about politics? What are the politics of Patty’s parents? How do their actions reflect—or contradict—their politics? How does politics figure into the way Patty’s rape is handled?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - In what ways is this a story about politics? What are the politics of Patty’s parents? How do their actions reflect—or contradict—their politics? How does politics figure into the way Patty’s rape is handled?
  4. How is the suburban setting important in “Agreeable”? If you have read other writers who set their work in suburbia, such as John Cheever, Ann Beattie, or Rick Moody, compare Jonathan Franzen’s take with theirs.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How is the suburban setting important in “Agreeable”? If you have read other writers who set their work in suburbia, such as John Cheever, Ann Beattie, or Rick Moody, compare Jonathan Franzen’s take with theirs.
  5. Were you surprised at the direction this story’s plot took? Did you find it believable? What do you make of the fact that Patty seems to feel somewhat responsible for what happened to her? Were you surprised at the reactions of Ethan’s and Patty’s parents? Explain your answer.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Were you surprised at the direction this story’s plot took? Did you find it believable? What do you make of the fact that Patty seems to feel somewhat responsible for what happened to her? Were you surprised at the reactions of Ethan’s and Patty’s parents? Explain your answer.
  6. We learn that Patty becomes a star athlete—though very physically aggressive. The story ends with Joyce asking Patty’s permission to hold a fundraiser in the Posts’ backyard. Patty replies that she is “beyond caring” and absents herself from the family portrait. Do you find this ending satisfying or frustrating? Explain. Where do you think Patty goes from here? (Read Franzen’s Freedom to find out.)

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - We learn that Patty becomes a star athlete—though very physically aggressive. The story ends with Joyce asking Patty’s permission to hold a fundraiser in the Posts’ backyard. Patty replies that she is “beyond caring” and absents herself from the family portrait. Do you find this ending satisfying or frustrating? Explain. Where do you think Patty goes from here? (Read Franzen’s Freedom to find out.)
  7. Why do you think Franzen titled this story “Agreeable”? What are some of the ways the characters in the story exemplify agreeableness? Do you think Franzen considers it a good quality? Do you? Explain your answer.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Why do you think Franzen titled this story “Agreeable”? What are some of the ways the characters in the story exemplify agreeableness? Do you think Franzen considers it a good quality? Do you? Explain your answer.