End of The Red Pony

Today we went over the work we did for The Red Pony. We were pondering why the book ended talking about lemonade, and why Jody’s mom said, “Jody you’re sick”, after his mom asked him if he wanted lemonade.Mr. Watson explained why the story ended with Jody making Lemonade. He said that the saying when life gives you lemons make lemonade. He said that Jody’s life gave him lots of lemons or problems so he made lemonade. Most people were upset that the end never mentioned Gitano, Gabilan, or the new colt. Mr. Watson email us our study guides and said that it was due Tuesday after spring break. He told us that the test is March 28 the Wednesday after spring break. The study guide is due Tuesday, but we will have Monday's class period to work on it. Here it is if you didn't get it by email:

THE RED PONY
Study Guide

Name __________________________________________________ Section ________

Complete the following sections with as much information about the topic as you can find in the book. Knowing the characters and their responses to different situations throughout the novel is important. The test will be the Wednesday you return from spring break which is March 28th.

Characters:
JODY:



BILLY:



CARL TIFLIN:



MRS. TIFLIN:



GABILAN:



NELLIE:



EASTER:



GITANO:



GRANDFATHER:


1. What is the setting of the novel? Why is it important to the story?
2. . Describe the death of the red pony, Gabilan. What was the real underlying cause of the pony's death? What is Steinbeck's message behind the death?
3. Did Jody have any right/reason to blame Billy Buck for the death of Gabilan? Explain your answer.
4. Compare and contrast Carl Tiflin and Billy Buck. What is Jody's relationship to each of them?
5. How do the sudden appearance and the mysterious departure of Gitano affect Jody?
6. In what ways does Jody change after the death of Nellie, the mare?
7. Why is lemonade important to the novel?
8. What does grandfather teach Jody?
9. What does Jody learn in the course of the novel? Be specific.