Brainstorm the following prompts, one at a time (i.e., without thinking too much, provide brief one- or two-word responses to each prompt):
Recall that “Friend of My Youth” is a frame narrative. So too is “Five Points.” Describe the latter’s framing structure.
Look at the transitional first sentences in paragraphs on pages 29, 32, and 38. How are they effective?
What do the Brenda and Maria stories have in common?
At what points do Maria’s two lives collide? (Identify specific passages.)
What about Brenda’s two lives—with Cornelius and with Neil?
Comment on the following pairings:
Explain first how the two items of each pairing are related. Then compare the first and second pairing. In other words, in what ways is the connection between store and shed similar to (and/or different from) the connection between Cornelius and Neil?
What does the story’s conclusion tell us about Brenda’s and Neil’s relationship?
Identify compelling descriptive passages and try to explain why they are effective.
©Robert Whalen, 2026