A
House is not a Home
By
Zan Gaudioso
Q:
What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mother’s
reaction? What does she do?
The
author notices smoke pouring in through the seams of the ceiling one Sunday afternoon.
His mother reacts with panic and disbelief. She quickly rushes out of the house
to grab a few important things and tries to call the fire department. Despite
her efforts, the house is engulfed in flames, and they are forced to stand by
helplessly.
Q:
Why does he break down in tears after the fire?
The
author breaks down in tears after the fire because he feels an overwhelming
sense of loss and despair. Not only has he lost his home and all his
possessions, but he also feels like he has lost his sense of security and the
familiar environment that was his world. The fire also made him feel disconnected
and lonely.
Q:
Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? Which words show
his fear and insecurity.
The
author is deeply embarrassed the next day in school because he has to attend classes
in clothes that are not his own, which makes him feel out of place and
self-conscious. His fear and insecurity are evident in phrases like “I was
completely embarrassed by everything I was wearing” and “I was sure that everyone
would know how I looked, how I dressed, and that I was different.”
Q:
The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in
the story? Where was the cat after the fire?
The
fondness between the cat and the author is shown through their close bond and
how much the author misses the cat after the fire. The cat goes missing during
the chaos of the fire, which adds to the author’s distress. The cat is eventually
found by a kind woman who recognizes it to be a pet cat by the collar. She tried
the number written on the collar but the telephone line had been dead. She continued
her search and eventually succeeded in finding the author, who is overjoyed to
be reunited with his beloved pet.
Q:
What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s understanding of life and people,
and comfort him emotionally? How does his loneliness vanish and how does he
start participating in life?
The
schoolmates’ actions, such as their kindness in providing him with school
supplies, clothes, and emotional support, change the author’s understanding of
life and people. Their generosity and empathy comfort him emotionally, making
him realize that he is not alone and that people genuinely care about him. His
loneliness vanishes as he begins to feel connected and supported by his peers,
which helps him to start participating in life again with a renewed sense of belonging.
Q:
What is the meaning of “My cat was back and so was I”? Had the author gone
anywhere? Why does he say that he is also back?
The
meaning of “My cat was back and so was I” signifies the return of normalcy and
a sense of completeness in author’s life. Although the author had not physically
gone anywhere, he felt lost and disconnected after the fire. The return of his
cat symbolizes the restoration of his emotional stability and happiness. He says
that he is also back because the reunion with his cat helps him regain his
sense of self and brings back the joy and comfort that had been missing from
his life.
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