Ryan's+Page

Preface 1. What were the Chinese crews working on? The Chinese crews were working on the Trans-Continental Railroad. 2. Tell me about the Manchus group from China. The Manchus group of China was a group that took over part of the country, they were fierce, harsh rulers. 3. Who were the "Strangers" and what did they do? The Strangers were a Ethnic group that gave aid to the Manchus group. 4. Why were many people from China coming to the United States? Many people were coming to America from China because they wanted a peaceful life.

Chapter 1 1. Why was Otter able to leave school? What made him so special? Otter was able to leave school because he was going to Homecoming. He was special because his family had payed for part of a new school. 2. Why was Stumpy hit across the palm? Stumpy was hit across the palm bcause he had laughed at Otter. 3. Why did Uncle Bucky treat Otter like a "pet?" I believe they are refering to Otter being a teacher's pet, because he always would do nice things for his class. 4. What was the "work" that mother was talking about? I think she means the work that needs to be done against the Manchus group to get China back on it's feet. 5. Who was Uncle Foxfire and what was he famous for? Uncle Foxfire is Otter's uncle and was one of the first to leave America. He was famous because he could find gold where no one else could. 6. Why do you think the village is making a big deal about Otter's father and uncle coming back home? I think the village is making a big deal for Otter's father and Uncle coming home because they did a lot of work for this rebellious group, and they had donated tons of money to the poor.

Chapter 2 1. What happened to the Golden Cat? He didn't send any of his family to the Golden Mountain. He believed he could stay a step ahead of the bad times. 2. Why does Otter want to go to the Golden Mountain? Otter wanted to go to the Golden Mountian because he wanted to be somewhere where it didn't matter if your biological parents were Strangers. 3. Why didn't Otter give Stumpy's mother a bowl of rice? Otter didn't give Stumpy's mom a bowl of rice because he kenw she wanted Stumpy to ask if his real parents were Stangers. 4. What is the problem so far in this story? The main problem in this story is that he really wanted to go to the Golden Mountain, but he couldn't because he was to young.

Chapter 3 1. Why was the family celebrating and having a banquet? The family was celebrting the return of Uncle Foxfire and Otter's father, which is why they had a banquet. 2. Who is the "Watch?" I think the Watch is the secruity for Three Willows. 3. Why did the group of beggars come in and interrupt the party? The group of beggars came in to get money and to have a meal. 4. What was the uncle's plan to keep the British and opium out of China? The plan was for the rebells to use American weapans to fight the British. 5. Why was father called a clown and Uncle Foxfire called a prophet? Father was called a clown because he didn't take a lot of things seriously. Uncle Foxfire was called a prophet because he was a strong leader with confidence. 6. Why does Otter want to follow his father and uncle? Otter wanted to go with his father and his uncle because he wanted to help modernize China. 7. Why do you think the mother might listen to Uncle Foxfire more than Otter and his father? I think she would listen more to Uncle Foxfire because he was very wise and rich. 8. What do you think is the main idea of this chapter? I think the main idea of this chapter was that Otter wanted to go over to America, but no one would let him.

Chapter 4 1. What was the main idea of this chapter? I think the main idea of this cahapter is that Otter trys to persuade his mother to let him go to the Golden Mountain, but she still won't let him. 2. What questions do you have from chapter 4? I am wondering if Otter's mother lets his father go to the Golden Mountain, why wouldn't she let Otter?

Chapter 5 1. How does a goldfish turn into a dragon? The fish has to swim up the river and through the gate to become a dragon. 2. What happened to the drunken Manchus and Otter? The drunken manchus and Otter got in a fight and Otter won. Then, a riot broke out and Otter was forced to hide.

Chapter 6 1. What did it mean when mother told Otter that he was, "neither Stranger nor Young?" I think she means that he isn't exactly all rebel, he is also part Stranger. 2. Describe Otter's birth mom and dad? What were they like? How did they die? Otter's birth mom was a small, lively person. Otter's dad was tall and muscular. Otter's birth mom died in a riot led by Stumpy's father. Otter's dad had gave his life to save his adopted father and his Uncle. 3. Why is it not safe for Otter to remain at home? It was not safe for Otter to stay in China because he was considered a criminal. 4. What does it mean when it says, "Tiny never lived long enough to see ice?" It meant that Tiny never went to America, because in that part of China, there is no ice. 5. Why does mother want Otter to study father's letters as if his life depended on it? The letters gave him a lot of imformation on America. 6. Who do you think the woman is at the end of this chapter? Why is the wind howling, "Don't go, don't go?" I think the woman is at the end of the chapter because I think the wowan is his mother crying because Otter is leaving and the winds are telling him not to go to America.

Chapter 7 1. Why did Otter and Brush get into a fight? Otter and Brush got intoa fight by Otter telling Brush he was a stranger and Brush wanted to look through his bag. 2. How did the westerners make the goldfields into wastelands? The westerners were taking all the gold out of the mountains. 3. Where were Shifty, Brush and Otter going? Shifty, Bush, and Otter were going up the mountain to where they were building the railroad. 4. How does Otter think he might find father and his uncle? He thinks he might find them near the stone bridge, because his father said they were working on it.

Chapter 8 1. Who are the demons that they are talking about in this chapter? The demons are americans and they said that the snowplows didn't work well. 2. What was so useful about this snowplow? The snowplow could clear the track fast, so the people could start working again. 3. How did Sean save Otter? Otter had fallen off the snowplow, and was barly hanging on to the bridge, when Sean pulled him up and saved him. 4. Describe the camp. The camp is under the snow with little airholes on the top.

Chapter 9 1. Why did Shrimp speak to them in rhymes? Shrimp spoke in rhymes because it was an easy way to find out what language we spoke. 2. What did it mean when father said, "you hopped out of the soup pot and into the fire?" He meant now he was in a worse place than back home, it was super cold in Callifornia. 3. Describe Otter in this chapter. How is he changing from the beginning of the book? Otter is becoming more responsible of himself. He is learning more, and how to live on his own. 4. What do you predict will happen next? I think Otter is goig to become sick and he will be forced to move back to China, where he is at risk.

Chapter 10 1. What did father mean when he said that, "Victory is 20 centimeters a shift?" I think it means that you dont make a lot of progress on one shift, so even making 20 centemeters of track is a lot. 2. What is the point that they are talking about? Why does no one like working at the point? The point is where the most mining explosions occur. 3. On page 110, it says that uncle was arguing "vehemently," what does this mean? I think he means he was in a intense argument. 4. Who is Strobridge and Kilroy? Stobridge is the head of operations. Kilroy supervises the crews at the heading.

5. So what half-truths is Uncle Foxfire talking about? The half-truths that Uncle Foxfire was talking about is that he didn't tell his family the terrible life in America, the side that told the real truth. 6. Why is Otter so upset at the end of this chapter? Otter was so upset at the end of the chapter because America is not what he expected.

Chapter 11 1. What happened to Shaky? Shaky almost got blown up by a charge, so he is doesn't talk a lot. 2. What is a "greenhorn?" A greenhorn is someone who is new to the continental railroad. 3. Why did father slap Otter's wrist? Father slapped Otter's wrist because he was attempting to eat snow, and the snow was not clean. 4. Explain the ending of this chapter. I think it means that you don't make a lot of progress on your shift, so making 20 centimeters of track is a lot.

Chapter 12 1. How can you not like each other but still be an efficient crew? You have to a least work together because you don't have a choice to change groups, otherwise you'll get fired. 2. What were the holes for? The holes were to keep Oxegen in the snow fort. 3. What was meant when they said, "Fire in the heading?" They ment that Uncle Foxfire had set the charge so the dynimite was on fire. 4. What was meant when father said to Otter, "Don't be a martyr?" I think it meant that Otter shouldn't act tough if he really isn't tough. 5. Why did Kilroy call Uncle Foxfire, "John?" Killroy called Uncle Foxfire John because that was his first name.

Chapter 13 1. What did Uncle Foxfire mean when he said that Otter looked at the world as black and white but he looked at it in shades of gray? I think it meant that he wasn't very experienced, so he saw the world in a different perspective. 2. Who is the Tiger? The Tiger is the name of the mountain their working on. 3. Why is it so important that Otter get some sort of hobby? It was important for Otter to get in a hobby because he could make something and trade with Packy for something that they need. 4. What are the three rules the cabin chose to live by? The three rules were to keep warm, dry, and clean 5. Why didn't Uncle Foxfire or father help Otter? They didn't help Otter because it would help him in the future if Otter could solve his own problems. 6. Who is Sean? Why did he say, " 'Tis he that's the lucky one?" Sean is Killroy's son and he meant that the dead person didn't have to work anymore, so the dead person was lucky. 7. Explain the last paragraph of this chapter - what did it mean? The last paragraph meant that the guard that he killed was lucky-he wasen't in the cold and sometimes, getting your wish isn't always a good thing.

Chapter 14 1. What does it mean when Uncle Foxfire referred to all westerners as "equal?" He meant that the westerners were equal among themselves, but the Chiniese were not equal to the westerners. 2. Why did Otter run his arm through the bucket of tea? Otter ran his arm through the bucket of tea because he was mad at Dandy for saying the westerner ruined the tea. 3. Why was Otter supposed to stay away from Sean? Otter was supposed to stay away from Sean because he was a westerner, and the chiniese generaly didn't like the westerners. 4. Why is Otter determined to disobey his father? Otter was determined to disobey his father because he felt that now they were all americans.

Chapter 15 1. Who was Sean fighting and what was the fight about? Sean was fighting Kilroy and they were fighting about that Sean didn't enjoy working on the railroad with his dad. 2. Why did Kilroy tell the guy that it was ok to fight his son? Kilroy told the guy it was ok because Kilroy was very mad at Sean for hanging out with Otter and Kilroy wanted to punish his son. 3. On page 171 Otters states that he was, "preparing for a tirade," what did he mean? Otter was prepared for his father to yell at him for hanging out with Sean again. 4. Why did Otter's father say he was sorry to his son? He said he was sorry to his son for taking him away from Sean, because it was the only real person he could talk to.

Chapter 16 1. Why did Otter want to talk to Bright Star about his plan to help Doggy? Otter wanted to talk about his plan to Bright Star to help Doggy beacaue Doggy's music had become part of his life. He would now be bored in his cabin. 2. Why did Bright Star decide that Otter should give Doggy the moon guitar? Bright Star decided Otter should give Doggy the moon gutar because Otter came up with the idea to ge Doggy the moon guitar.

Chapter 17 1. What was the irony of Doggy getting frostbite on his fingers? The irony was that he now couldn't play his new guitar. 2. Why did Otter stay to watch? Otter stayed to watch because he didn't want the other members of his crew to think he was a coward.

Chapter 18 1. What did Uncle Foxfire mean when he said, "We'll make a guest out of you yet?" I think he meant that he agreed that Otter should go home. 2. What do you think caused the explosion? I think a distant charge set off by another crew caused the Tiger to rumble and partly collapse. 3. Why wasn't Uncle Foxfire worried about Otter's father? Uncle Foxfire wasen't worried because he knew Otter's father was tough, and he would come out eventualy.

Chapter 19 1. Why did Uncle Foxfire apologize to Otter? Uncle Foxfire apologized to Otter because they should have helped look for Otter's father instead of saving themselves first. 2. What did father mean when he said, "Don't try to trick the trickster?" He meant that he knew what he was trying to do, make him feel better, but it didn't work. 3. Describe how Otter felt by the end of this chapter towards the tiger. He felt very scared, so scared he might never go in the Tiger again, and angry at what the Tiger did to his father.

Chapter 20 1. Why do they describe their living/working situation as a battlefield? They want to show emphasis on how bad it really is there. 2. Why did Otter insist that he and father had quit? He insisted because if they stayed there much longer, they would most likely die. 3. Why did Kilroy have to use the whip? What was this a symbol of? Kilroy had to use a whip because otherwise, everyone would run away. The whip was a symbol of athority and power to Kilroy. 4. Why did father talk Otter into standing up and giving in to Kilroy's demands? He told him to give in because he knew Kilroy would never let Otter go, so it was better to give in. 5. Make a prediction as to what will happen next? I think what will happen next is that Otter will plan an escape so that he will be free.

Chapter 21 1. What does it mean when Uncle Foxfire said, "Anger is a luxury up here?" I think it means that anger is very common up here, and if you get angry you will enjoy it. 2. Why did Uncle Foxfire let Otter say such awful things to him? He let Otter say those things to him because he knew that Otter was right. 3. How can Uncle Foxfire make a promise that he's not sure he can keep? He has to make the promise, to make up for Otter's birth father's death, and he already said that he would get Otter off the mountain.

Chapter 22 1. What did the Tiger symbolize to Otter? The Tiger was symbolized like a battlefield. It always was hurting or killing people. 2. Why does everyone cough? Everyone coughs because they all have colds from the weather. 3. Why was Uncle Foxfire willing to take orders from Keg Mouth? Uncle Foxfire was willing to take orders from Kegmouth because back in China, people judged you on what district you were from, and Foxfire was willing to break that habit. 4. Tell me about the ending of this chapter. Now what questions do you have? Uncle Foxfire gave his loyalty to the lost crew because he also wanted to reedem for losing Tini. I am wondering why he is still out there. Is he trying to return to his glory?

Chapter 23 1. Otter once thought of Uncle Foxfire as a legend, what is a legend? A legend is someone that is well known for good acts. 2. Why does Otter admire Uncle Foxfire? Give examples/evidence to support your answer. Otter admires Uncle Foxfire because back in China, he was a legend. Also, he admires Uncle Foxfire because he said he would teach him how to use a compass and how to set a charge. He also admires Uncle Foxfire because he said he would continue searching through the snow in the avalanche to look for people, even after Kilroy insisted that no one survived. 3. What is the plan to get off the mountain and go home? The plan to get off the mountain is for Otter to put a charge up at the point of the mountain, then he will be able to go home.

Chapter 24 1. Why did Uncle Foxfire and Otter go off into the mountain? 2. Why do you think that Sean followed? I think Sean followed because he was determained to prove his dad wrong, to show Kilroy he is capable of it. 3. What happened to Sean by the end of the chapter? Where is he going? Sean had twisted his ankle and lost the compass, so he was heading back.

Chapter 25 1. Otter now considers Uncle Foxfire to be a brave and modest man. Give examples/evidence of this. Otter thought Uncle Foxfire was brave because he saved Otter's life in this chapter, and he told Otter not to give up. Giving up in that situation wouldn't be good. 2. How has Otters perception of home changed? His perception of home changed because he thought of all the people who had started taking Opium, but hat all the people of the village weren't mad at Uncle Foxfire anymore. 3. What does this mean, "The more I learn, the more I realize I need to know?" I think it means that if you discover one thing, you discover other unkonwn ideas to you, and so on. 4. Why didn't Otter blame Uncle Foxfire for his birth father's death anymore? Otter dosen't because he realizes that is the past, and Uncle Foxfire has changed. 5. What is the plan? The new Great Work? The new plan is to take the Great Work one step at a time, so they wont start a war.

Chapter 26 1. On page 283 Otters states, "He kept his promise," what does this mean? He means that Uncle Foxfire kept his promise that he'll be going home. 2. What is the big idea or main idea of this chapter? I think the big idea of the chapter is that Otter set off the charge and now, finally he could go home.