Challenge 739

Better Shown Than Said

In John Brady’s “Oh, the Things You Will See...”:
1. What is the function of the tiger’s size? Why is the tiger perceived as enormous even for a tiger?
2. What is the significance of the tiger’s “making biscuits” and appearing to be non-threatening?
3. Does the narrator earn the tiger’s respect? Has he earned the right to refuse Vanessa’s order to work overtime?
4. What might the tiger mean to “Kid Number Three”? What might Vanessa discover in the Toys aisle?
In Morris J. Marshall’s “Volatility Cycles”:
1. Why does Tran appear on a section of the roof separate from the one Krista is standing on?
2. How does Bill kill Sanders with a small-caliber target pistol? Is his accuracy unexpected?
3. How many deaths are recorded or implied in the story? Does it overstep BwS’ advice: “If you have a good character, for pity’s sake, don’t kill him”?
4. As Carla is being led away, she says to Krista, “I wish you’d never been hired.” The remark is self-evident. What might Krista retort? Keep it simple. A virtual medal goes to the best come-back.
5. In previous chapters, Krista is depicted as suffering from bipolar disorder. Is the condition necessary to the plot? Does it affect Krista’s actions significantly in any way?
6. Krista tells Tran that she loves him. Why might readers have reason to doubt her? What might she really be feeling?
In L. L. Richardson’s “A Reason to Worry”:
1. What is the difference betwween a robot and a “noetic”?
2. What is the difference between a “noetic” and a human being?
3. When “noetics” can design and manufacture others of their kind, what will become of human beings?
In Channie Greenberg’s “Jejune Opinions”:
1. Does the poem imply that females are superior to males? If so, is their superiority a function of nature or nurture?
2. The poem depicts many ways in which males might compete for social status. Does the poem imply that females do the contrary and are utterly non-competitive among themselves? What does John Brady’s “Oh, the Things You Will See” depict in that regard?
3. Combine the implications of “Jejune Opinions” with the concept of “noetics” in L. L. Richardson’s “A Reason to Worry.” What might be superior to both genders, i.e. to human beings?

Responses welcome!