1. Jot down some words or phrases that describe Harold Krents’s character and
personality as you see them. List at least three points about his character.
2. Krents deals with a serious personal issue in a way that’s designed to appeal to
readers. Describe his essay’s tone in one to two sentences.
3. What details in the essay create the tone of the essay?
4. Tell what point you think Krents is making with each of the anecdotes about events
at the airport, in the hospital, and in a backyard basketball game.
5. How would you summarize the essay’s main ideas?
6. What details does Krents use to support these ideas? List at least two.
7. In your opinion, what do you think the unusual title means? Explain in one to two
sentences using some details from the essay