"Sucker" TN standards

In Sucker, how does Pete’s attitude toward Sucker change over the course of the story, and what does this reveal about the story’s theme?

• Pete always resents Sucker’s presence, showing that family bonds are unchangeable.

• Pete grows more affectionate toward Sucker but ultimately betrays him, illustrating the theme of trust and emotional vulnerability.

• Pete’s feelings toward Sucker never change, reinforcing the idea that people’s personalities are fixed.

• Pete gradually becomes more protective of Sucker, highlighting the theme of unconditional love.

Which two pieces of evidence from Sucker work together to support the idea that Pete grows affectionate toward Sucker but ultimately betrays him, illustrating the theme of trust and emotional vulnerability?

• "I never did pay much attention to Sucker. He just seemed to always be hanging around."

• "For a while, after I thought Maybelle liked me, I treated Sucker as if he were my own brother. I told him things and gave him stuff and let him follow me around."

• "Sucker never acted the same around me after that night. He wouldn't look at me, and he didn't follow me around anymore."

• "It seemed to me he had always been a lonesome kid."

How does Carson McCullers develop and contrast Pete’s and Sucker’s points of view in the story?

• Pete views himself as more mature and in control, while Sucker sees Pete as a role model and trusts him completely, making Pete’s betrayal more devastating.

• Both Pete and Sucker share the same perspective on their relationship, believing that nothing will ever change between them.

• Sucker is aware of Pete’s manipulations and chooses to distance himself from the start, contrasting Pete’s belief that Sucker blindly trusts him.

• The story is told from Sucker’s perspective, so we never fully understand Pete’s motivations or feelings.

How does Carson McCullers' use of language in Sucker contribute to the tone of the story?

• She uses lighthearted and humorous language to make Pete’s treatment of Sucker seem less harsh.

• She uses simple, straightforward language with occasional figurative expressions to create a reflective and melancholic tone.

• She uses highly complex and poetic language to make the story feel more like a fairy tale.

• She avoids any figurative language, making the story feel neutral and unemotional.

Why does Pete’s attitude toward Sucker change throughout the story?

• Pete initially ignores Sucker but becomes kinder when he believes Maybelle likes him, then turns cruel after Maybelle rejects him.

• Pete always resents Sucker and never treats him with kindness, showing no change in his attitude.

• Pete feels guilty about ignoring Sucker, so he consistently tries to build a stronger relationship with him.

• Pete becomes jealous of Sucker’s confidence and success, leading him to push Sucker away.