Read chapters from 23 to 25 and answer the following questions:

1) Why did the Emerald Isle volunteer firefighter detain Coalhouse Walker Jr. on his way? What was the most insulting act of violence they did to him?

2) The family’s reaction to what had happened to Coalhouse was diverse, describe the way each member felt about the incident. Who of them was the most understanding?

3) Sarah decided to help her fiancé in her own way, she had at least two reasons to do that – what were they? Explain the phrase “It was the second of the frightened and desper­ate acts provoked from her innocence”.

Look up the dictionary for the following words and phrases:

Fiancée (n)

Fiancé (n)

Clapboard (n)

In the teeth of (phr)

Ostentatiously (adv)

Clutch pedal (n)

Thoroughfare (n)

Courteous (adj)

Pugnacious (adj)

Circumnavigate

Ingratiate oneself (v)

Prank (n)

Desecrate (v)

Righteously (adv)

Discomfiture (n)

Recite (v)

Subpoena (n)

Grenade (n)

Treachery (n)

Nervous col­lapse (n)

Calisthenics (n)

Chaise (n)

Complacent (adj)

Inconsiderate (adj)

Stevedore (n)

Redress (n)

Plead on (v)

Contemptuousness (n)

Arson (n)

Condone (v)

Mayhem (n)

Negritude (n)

Impoverished (adj)

Mellifluous (adj)

Lithe (adj)

Guile (n)

Dregs (n)

Dignitary (n)

Platoon (n)

Acrid (adj)

Festivities (n)

Sternum (n)

Pneumonia (n)

Sepulchral (adj)

Cultural Notes:

James Sherman - (October 24, 1855 – October 30, 1912) was a United States Representative from New York and the 27th Vice President of the United States. He was a member of the Baldwin, Hoar, and Sherman families.

William J. Gaynor - (1849 – September 10, 1913) was an American politician from New York City, associated with the Tammany Hall political machine. He served as mayor of the City of New York from 1910 to 1913, as well as stints as a New York Supreme Court Justice from 1893 to 1909.

S pringfield rifle - The term Springfield Rifle may refer to any one of several types of small arms produced by the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, for the United States armed forces. In modern usage, the term "Springfield rifle" most commonly refers to the Springfield Model 1903.

Tin Lizzie – nickname for Ford Model T

Read chapters from 26 to 28 and answer the following questions:

1.Speak about the “grand parade”, what was metaphoric about all the description of it?

2. What tones does Doctorow bring out in the idea of spring as it comes to the city? What characters are mentioned in the relation? Quote the text to prove it.

3. Houdini’s obsession with his late mother turns out to be crucial for his career? Why, prove it.

4. What interrupted Houdini’s performance? Describe the situation and the family’s reaction.

5. What great inventions of the twentieth century are mentioned in this part of the novel? What makes their juxtaposition incongruous?

Look up the dictionary for the following words and phrases:

Mourn (v)

Dirge (n)

Suspension cable (n)

Fling (v)

Crocus (n)

Fox grape (n)

Forsythia (n)

Daffodil (n)

Standing ovation (n)

Wreath (n)

Bestow (v)

Nimbly (adv)

Exultant (adj)

Simian lope (n)

Abduct (v)

Divulge (v)

Solicit a comment (v)

Dogwood (n)

Petal (n)

Coffin (n)

Impenetrable (adj)

Close-up (n, v)

Crank (v)

Relive (v)

Redolence (n)

Clairvoyant (adj)

Gullibility (n)

Rube (n)

Spiritual fraud (n)

Rampant (adj)

Far-fetched (adj)

Pragmatist (n)

Swarm (n)

Rebuff (v)

Abreast (adv)

Brooch (n)

Pulley (n)

Pry (v)

Death-defying (adj)

Padlock (v)

Heed (v)

Chunk (n)

Proscenium (n)

Scorch (v)

Char (v)

Debris (n)

Homicide (n)

Buckshot (n)

Forensic (n)

Steam engine (n)

Rig (n)

Incur (v)

Awry (adj)

Ignite (v)

Suggestive of (adj)

Arsonist (n)

Accomplice (n)

Vigilance (n)

Vigil (adj)

Carafe (n)