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Bel Kaufman, Sunday in the Park

Bel Kaufman, Sunday in the Park

Read Sunday in the Park and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Then “submit” your work.

1. How would you characterize the mother’s mood at the beginning of the story?

restless

quietly content

angry

talkative

2. Which character is described as “city-pale”?

Joe

Larry

The mother

Morton

3. What event initiates the mood change of the family’s Sunday outing?

A burly father punches Morton for yelling at his son.

Larry throws a tantrum and refuses to go home.

A little boy throws sand on Larry.

The mother insults Morton.

4. How does Morton respond to the conflict?

He civilly insists on an apology until the man complies.

He slaps Joe across the face.

He punches the father in his large gut.

He forces his family to leave the park.

5. How does the mother respond when Morton states that if she can’t discipline Larry, he will?

She responds with hateful silence.

“Now, try to be patient. It’s been a long day for us all.”

“I’m sorry, my darling. I’m truly trying.”

“Indeed? You and who else?”