Complete Worksheet ok the Reading Shame
Humanities
QUESTIONS ON “SHAME’
THE FACTS
1. Where did the narrator learn shame?
2. What did the narrator do for Helene Tucker? How important was she in his life?
3. According to the narrator, why could he not do well in school? What did his teacher
think?
4. What event at school caused shame to control the narrator’s life for a long time?
Summarize what happened.
5. What did the author dislike about the Worthy Boys Annual Christmas Dinner?
THE STRATEGIES
1. The narration begins in paragraph 3, following two paragraphs of commentary about
Helene Tucker, a girl on whom the narrator had a crush. What is the purpose of the
preliminary paragraphs?
2. What dominant impression is always in the background of the narration? Why?
3. Beginning with paragraph 9, the narrator adds conversation to the narration. What is
the effect of this technique?
4. What is the main theme (lesson about life) revealed in this story? Is it implied or
stated?
5. In paragraph 5, what is the purpose of repeating the word “pregnant?” What does the
author mean?
THE ISSUES
1. Do you agree with the narrator’s comment that “everybody’s got a Helene Tucker?”
What does Helene Tucker symbolize? Give an example of a Helene Tucker from your
own experience.
2. The teacher thought the narrator was a troublemaker? Was he really, or was there
another reason for drawing attention to himself?
3. Why did the teacher humiliate the narrator when he announced that his father would
donate fifteen dollars? Do you think the teacher should have handled the situation
differently? If so, how should she have reacted?
4. The narrator states that he thought the teacher liked him because she always picked
him to clean the blackboard on Friday. Why do you think she picked him?
5. Did the narrator do the right thing by not going back to the school often after the
shame incident? What kept him away? Do you empathize or do you think the
narrator was oversensitive?
