Understanding Jerry's Story and Themes

The narrator, seeking solitude in the Smoky Mountains, meets Jerry, a young boy from a children's home. Jerry, despite his hardships, displays integrity and kindness. He speaks fondly of his mother, who he claims lives in Manville. As the narrator prepares to leave, they discover Jerry's mother does not exist, revealing Jerry's resilience and imagination.

What was the narrator seeking in the Smoky Mountains?

• A location for a new job

• A place to meet new people

• A quiet place to write

• A bustling city life

Why was the house in the mountains isolated?

• It was in the middle of a lake

• It was cut off by deep mountain snow

• It was located in a desert

• It was surrounded by a dense forest

Who was Jerry?

• The narrator's son

• A boy from the children's home

• The narrator's neighbor

• A local farmer

What impressed the narrator about Jerry's work?

• His speed in cutting wood

• The amount of wood he cut

• His knowledge of different types of wood

• His ability to work without tools

What did Jerry refuse to accept from the narrator?

• A new axe

• Money for a broken axe handle

• A warm coat

• A pair of gloves

What did Jerry do that showed his integrity?

• He complained about the cold

• He asked for more work

• He refused to take money for a mistake

• He always arrived late

What did Jerry reveal about his mother?

• She visited him every summer

• She lived with him at the children's home

• She was a famous author

• She had passed away

How did the narrator feel about Jerry's mother?

• Jealous

• Happy and relieved

• Angry and confused

• Indifferent

What did Jerry plan to buy for his mother?

• A pair of white gloves

• A bicycle

• A new book

• A warm scarf

What was the narrator's decision regarding meeting Jerry's mother?

• To wait until next summer

• To leave without meeting her

• To meet her immediately

• To write her a letter