English Reader: Rain Man

​English Reader: Rain Man

by Leonore Fleischer

Chapter 1

Charlie is a luxury car salesman who has financial troubles. He takes his girlfriend on a week-end break to Palm Springs but on the way there, he gets the news of his father’s death. Susanna is very surprised with his reaction and he explains her that he hated his father. He still attends the Funeral.

Multiple Select

Susanna thought Charlie was the most handsome man in the world. He was ________________.

• tall and strong

• short and strong

• thick brown hair

• thick dark hair

Chapter 2

Charlie and Susanna returned to Charlie’s father’s home and he remembered when he lived there when he was sixteen. He has a vague memory of a song about a Rain Man. They visited the house and Susanna realized that the roses were dying. Then Charlie showed her the car. When Charlie went to visit the lawyer to hear his father’s last will, he realized that all the money would be for someone else whose identity won’t be disclosed. He was furious because he just inherited the car and a rose bush instead of a fortune and a beautiful estate in the best neighbourhood!

Multiple Choice

Where is the richest part of Cincinnati?

• East Walnut Hills

• West Walnut Hills

• South Walnut Hills

Multiple Choice

Does Charlie like roses?

• Yes

• No

Draw

Imagine you are in Charlie's situation. Your father is rich but he leaves all his money to someone you do not know. How do you feel? What will you do?

Open Ended

Charlie did not have a happy childhood. How important is a person's childhood for their life as an adult, do you think? Do you think you can have an unhappy childhood and be a happy adult? Why?

Chapter 3

Charlie managed to charm the lady at the bank to obtain the address of his father’s fortune. It was Dr. Bruner’s mental clinic in Ohio. Susanna felt uncomfortable and went outside while Charlie was trying in vain to obtain the name of the person who inherited from his father. When he went out, he met Raymond, an autist who knew everything about him, his car and his father…Dr. Brunner had to admit that it was Charlie’s brother.

Multiple Choice

Who is this?

He is about fifty-six with grey hair and a calm face. He knew Charlie's father from the time Charlie was two years old. He is looking after the money because Charlie's father asked him to.

• Raymond

• Dr Bruner

• Mr Bruner

• Charlie

Multiple Choice

Who is this?

A small man of about forty. He looks clean and tidy, with short hair and ordinary clothes. There is no expression on his face. He has a notebook that he writes in. He can't really talk to Charlie and is easily frightened.

• Raymond

• Dr Bruner

• Mr Bruner

• Charlie

Chapter 4

Dr Bruner explains Charlie that he has a brother who is an autist. Charlie is shocked that someone who won’t know that he’s rich got all his money. Later on, Charlie takes Raymond into his car and despite Susanna’s opposition, he takes him on “holidays”. Susanna tries to calm Raymond’s anxiety.

Multiple Choice

What question does Susanna ask Charlie?

• "What are we doing now?"

• "Where are we taking him?"

• "Where are we going?"

• "What is the next step?"

Multiple Choice

What is Charlie's answer?

• "For a holiday."

• "For a long weekend."

• "For a vacation."

• "For a trip."

Open Ended

What is your opinion of Charlie so far? Can you understand his actions?

Chapter 5

Charlie and Susanna go to Cincinnati. Raymond is disorientated and need his usual surrounding at Wallbrook, the way he eats his pizza, the way he watches the same programs. Charlie got mad at Raymond. Then Charlie revealed his plan of kidnapping his brother for money to Susanna and she immediately said she was leaving him as she couldn’t love such a man!

Poll

Who do you think has the most difficult life, Charlie or Raymond?

• Charlie

• Raymond

Open Ended

Why doesn't Raymond like his room?

Chapter 6

The first part is a very realistic depiction of the features of an autistic person. In the second part, it is clear then that the only reason for taking Raymond is money. This passage gives another illustration of Raymond’s amazing calculating. In the last section, they have to give up flying back to LA because Raymond has a fear of flying (he’s afraid of crashes…and burns). When Charlie realized how afraid his brother was, he for the first time showed some true affection and apologized to his brother.

Multiple Choice

Choose the right answer.

Raymond knows Sally Dibbs's number because

• it's on the front of her dress.

• he read the telephone book.

Multiple Choice

Choose the right answer.

Raymond is worried about the plane because

• he knows about a similar plane that crashed.

• he has always hated flying.

Multiple Choice

Choose the right answer.

Charlie needs to go back to his office in Los Angeles because

• Dr Bruner wants him to go there.

• his bank and the customer for the Lamborghini car are not happy.

Multiple Choice

Choose the right answer.

Charlie rings Dr Bruner to tell him that

• he will bring Raymond back when he gets his money.

• he will bring Raymond home soon.