Theme Analysis

How does the narrator view his sister (Rose) in the opening chapters of "My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece"?

• He becomes more sympathetic towards her.

• He resents the focus she receives from his father.

• He becomes sad.

• He is worried that what happened to her could happen to him.

What theme is introduced through the family's reaction to tragedy in the opening chapters?

• Forgiveness

• Isolation

• Resilience

• Adventure

Which character shows the most noticeable change in the opening chapters?

• The father

• The mother

• The sister

• The narrator

What does the setting in the opening chapters suggest about the family's emotional state?

• They are content and happy.

• They are disconnected and fragmented.

• They are hopeful and optimistic.

• They are secure and stable.

How does the narrator's relationship with his sister impact the development of the plot in the opening chapters?

• It creates conflict.

• It provides comic relief.

• It drives the narrative forward.

• It has no impact on the plot.

What does the Jamie's inability to cry suggest?

• He is not sad about anything.

• He is happy and content.

• He understands why his mother left.

• He is struggling to emotionally cope and is guarding himself.

In the opening chapters, how is the theme of loss portrayed through the characters' actions?

• Through their efforts to rebuild their lives.

• Through their avoidance of discussing the past.

• Through their celebration of memories.

• Through their constant arguments.

Which character's dialogue in the opening chapters most effectively reveals the theme of grief?

• The father

• The mother

• The sister

• The narrator

How does the author use the setting to enhance the theme of isolation in the opening chapters?

• By describing the vast, empty landscapes.

• By setting scenes in crowded, noisy environments.

• By focusing on the family's home as sparse and bare.

• By using warm, inviting descriptions of the neighborhood.

How does Jamie's father still evoke a sense of empathy from the reader, even though he is so hateful?

• He is a good father.

• He is always helping Jamie with his school work.

• He tries to put his children first.

• He is overcome with grief, and is consumed by his pain.