Our next short story was Button, Button, a story about Norma and Arthur, husband and wife, who are offered a deal by Mr. Steward for $50,000. If they choose to push the button, someone they don't know will die and they will receive the money. Again we are taken back to our central theme of study - individual versus society and we investigate the themes of temptation, greed, and curiosity.
Reading Comprehension Questions
1. What do you predict this story will be about?
2. Norma asks if the “whatchamacallit” is valuable. What does this say about her character?
3. What will the Lewises receive if they push the button? Is this worth it?
4. What is Arthur’s character like when asked to think about the gadget? How do you know this (text evidence)?
5. How are Norma and Arthur different in their perspectives to Mr. Steward’s bargain?
6. What type(s) of conflict is presented in this story? How do you think it will be resolved?
7. Why are the deaths of people far away much easier than those who are closest to us?
8. What does Norma want to do with the money?
9. What kind of research project might Mr. Steward and his company be conducting in Norma’s point of view?
10. What is the climax of this story?
11. How is the ending of the story ironic?
12. Mr. Steward asks Norma if she thinks she really knew her husband. Do you think she did? Explain.
13. Overall, what are your impressions of this story? Did you find this powerful? Explain your answer.
14. Considering human nature, what do you think is more likely to occur—people pushing the button, or people leaving it alone? Why?
15. What would you have done if you were Norma? Do you think she made the right choice? Explain why or why not.
16. Why does Norma really push the button? What reasons does she give to justify it?
17. What is the theme of this story?
18. Overall, what might the box in this story symbolize? Explain your answer.
19. Find a quote that shows an example of foreshadowing in the text. Include the quote below.
20. From what point of view was this story told? Explain your answer.
Students then wrote a thematic paragraph on Button,Button using evidence from the text. They used the following
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