Penny in the Dust

Penny in the Dust – Ernest Buckler

1.The literary term for flash back is, “by which an event or scene taking place before the present time in the narrative is inserted into the chronological structure of the work.” The flashback in the story is in the beginning, right after the first paragraph.

2.The major conflict would be when Peter loses the penny. All of Peter’s family is involved because they couldn’t find him anywhere. The conflict is resolved by Peter’s father finding the penny and by Peter explaining to his father the reason behind hiding. By Peter telling his father this, it improved their relationship because they were now honest with each other.

Penny in the Dust: QUESTIONS

1.Peter said he felt as if he had struck his father because he couldn’t believe his father really thought that Peter was scared of him. Peter knew he hurt his father by not explaining himself properly.

2.I think that Peter’s father kept the penny because it was a memory between father and son. It was a defying moment in their relationship and his father didn’t want to lose that. It was his little piece of “gold” in the dust. It resembled imagination and wonder, and it represents the love for his son.

3.Peter’s father shows him love by doing little things such as helping him on the cart when he sees him struggle, by giving him gifts like the penny. He also shows love by showing concern about Peter and his where-about. His father really does love him, although he is not an expressive man.

4.Peter’s world is expressive and imaginative, where as his father’s world is serious and full of responsibility. I don’t think his father really understands childhood and the freedom of mind that is needed to live a healthy childhood. When Peter explains his game with the penny, his father REALIZES that Peter is still a child. He finally accepted that and Peter is shocked AND happy that he could be open with his father.

5.I believe what moved Peter’s father was simply how much effort Peter was putting into his explanation, also that his father could sense Peter was upset with his father being upset. In the moment he had tears in his eyes, I believe he was accepting Peter as the child he was.

6.The penny is very symbolic in this story. The penny not only represents imagination, but it also represents the love and understanding between father and son. The penny will hold that profound memory of acceptance and truth forever.

7.Peter’s father lived a serious and responsible life only to give his children the best life that he could give them, He wanted his children to grow up right, and he did that by showing sternness and strictness. He was never mean to his children, but he really only showed one side to them; in attempt to raise his children properly.