Reading - Treasure of Lemon Brown Study Guide

What are the main events in the story? What complications make it difficult for characters to reach their goals?

- Greg avoids studying and heads outside. -He gets caught in the rain and seeks refuge in and old tenement building. -Greg realizes he isn't alone. -Greg chats with Lemon Brownm a homeless man hiding out in the old building. -Local thugs enter and try to steal Lemon Bronw's treasure. -Greg and Lemon Brown scare the thugs away. -Greg asks Lemon Brown why his treasure was worth fighting for.

*Describe the theme.* "All I know is that I heard him talking about some kind of treasure. You know they found that shopping bag lady with that load of money in her bags." // "Throw down your money, old man, so I won't have to bash your head in!"

Again, the thugs reinforce the idea that a treasure has to be valuable, and it's probably money. The thugs are willing to commit a crime to get the treasure. Lemon Brown is willing to fight to save his treasure. Why?

What does a diamond symbolize?

Beauty, wealth, everlasting love, strength

What does the sun symbolize?

Brightness, happiness, joy, new beginnings ( new day )

What does a skull symbolize?

Death, evil, danger

_________ characterization is when the writer simply tells his or her reader about the character.

Direct Characterization

What does a cross symbolize?

Faith, love, God / Jesus, hope, Christianity

What incident sets the story into motion?

Greg and his father argue over his math grade and playing basketball

How does the story end?

Greg heads home with a new appreciation for his father and his father's motives

*Describe the theme.* "They were talking about treasure?" "What I tell you? Didn't I tell you every man got a treasure? " Lemon Brown said. "You want to see mine?"

Greg is curious about the treasure and Lemon Brown offers to show it to him. Lemon Brown is saying that everyone has a treasure, even homeless people.

*Describe the theme.* He thought ahead of what his father would say and wondered if he should tell him about Lemon Brown. // Greg pushed the button over the bell marked Ridley, thought of the lecture he knew his father would give him, and smiled.

Greg realizes that his father lectures him because he loves him and wants him to do better in school. His attitude has fundamentally been changed towards his father.

What does the basketball symbolize?

Greg's youth, Greg's motivation, Greg's innocence

Who are the characters?

Greg, his father, Lemon Brown, and thugs

What does a tree symbolize?

Growth, wisdom

What is the setting?

Harlem and the old tenement building

*Describe the theme.* Hey! Ragman! A voice called. "We know you in here. What you got up udner them rags? You got any money?" // "We heard you talking about your treasure." The voice was slurred. "We just want to see it, that's all."

Here is the first suggestion of where the treasure is kept (¨up under them rags¨). Of course, the thugs assume a treasure has monetary value, too.

*Describe the theme.* I didn't have nothing to give him except these things that told him who I was, and what he come from. If you know your pappy did something, you know you can do something too.

Here we find out that the treasure is not about Lemon Brown himself - it's about his son. These are the items he gave his son before he went off to war.

What does a lightbulb symbolize?

Idea, intelligence, brightness

________ characterization is whent he writer shows a character's personality through the character's thoughts, words, feelings, choices, and actions.

Indirect Characterization

What loose ends of the story are tied up?

Lemon Brown explains the significance of his treasure

*Describe the theme.* "Every man got a treasure. You don't know that, you must be a fool." // "What do you have gold coins."

Lemon Brown implies that wealth is not needed to have a treasure. Greg still thinks a treasure has to have monetary value.

What is the most exciting or intense moment of the story?

Lemon Brown reveals his treasure to Greg

Greg is in danger of failing which subject in school?

Math

What does the harmonica symbolize?

Success, purpose, identity art (Harlem culture), Blues music, Lemon´s youth *dented harmonica - lost dreams, passage of time

*Describe the theme.* He sat on the floor near Greg and carefully united the strings that held the rags on his right leg. When he took the rags away, Greg saw a piece of plastic. The old man carefully took off the plastic and unfolded it. He revealed some yellowed newspaper clippings and a battered harmonica.

The treasure is revealed: a harmonica and newspaper clippings. We also find out how carefully and smartly Lemon Brown has concealed his treasure under rags tied to his legs.

*Describe the theme.* "They sent back what he had with him over there, and what it was is this old mouth fiddle and these clippings. Him carrying it around with him like that told me it meant somethings to him. That was my treasure, adn when I give it to him he treated it just like that, a treasure. Ain't that something?"

The treasure meant so much to Lemon Brown because it was the only thing left of his son when he died in the war. By keeping the treasure, Lemon Brown is reminded of his son. Lemon Brown's son also considered these items a treasure.

*Describe the theme.* There were two feet, in cracked, dirty shoes from which rose legs taht were wrapped in rags. // His pants were bagged to the knee, where they were met with rags that went down to the old shoes. The rags were held on with strings, and there was a rope around his middle.

These are the first times we see where and how the treasure is kept, even though we don't know that yet.

*Describe the theme.* "You ain't one of them bad boys looking for my treasure, is you?" // "I'm not looking for your treasure," Greg answered, smiling. "If you have one."

This is the first time Lemon Brown mentions a treasure to Greg. Greg doubts that Lemon Brown has a treasure, probably because he appears homeless and Greg assumes a treasure has monetary value.

*Describe the theme.* "You really think that treasure of yours was worth fighting for?" Greg asked. "Against a pipe?" "What else a man got 'cepting what he can pass on to his son, or his daughter, if she be his oldest?" Lemon Brown said.

Through the story of his treasure, Lemon Brown is teaching Greg to value his own relationship with his father and to think of it as a treasure.

Who is the other of the story?

Walter Dean Myers

*Describe the theme.* They told of Sweet Lemon Brown, a blues singer and harmonica player who was appearing at different threaters in the South.

We learn of Lemon Brown´s past. He was a successful harmonica player and blues singer. This adds mystery to the story - why is Lemon Brown homeless now?

What does Lemon Brown's treasure symbolize?

Wisdom / life experience, memories Legacy (from father to son)

What does an owl symbolize?

Wise, nocturnal (night)

What is Greg's father's occupation?

a postal worker

What type of music did Lemon Brown play and sing?

blues

What does a math book symbolize?

burden, responsibility, hindrance to basketball

A _____________ character is a character who undergoes an important inner change such as a change in beliefs, personality, or attitude.

dynamic character

Lemon Brown manages to get the bad men's ______________.

flashlight

Cheerful, jolly, likeable, lively, friendly, pleasant are ________ characteristics.

happy

Productive, active, attentive, diligent, eager, ambitious are _________ characteristics.

hardworking

What happened to Lemon Brown's son , Jesse?

he was killed in the war

As the bad men approach, what do Greg and Lemon Bronw do?

head upstairs and crouch in the dark

Passive, indifferent, sluggish, dull, careless are ________ characteristics.

lazy

Unpleasant, greedy, rude, malicious, callous are ____________ characteristics.

mean

Mean, ignorant, grouchy, selfish, disrespectful, snobby, pessimistic are ___________ characteristics.

negative

Which item is part of Lemon Brown's treasure?

newspaper clippings

Kind, fair, courteous, caring, helpful, gracious are __________ characteristics.

nice

According to his father, Greg's report card will determine whether or not he is allowed to . . .

play basketball with the Scorpions

Kind, intelligent, responsible, mature, trustworthy, independent are _________ characteristics.

positive

When Greg first enters the abandoned building, Lemon Brown threatens him with . . .

razor blade

Depressed, moody, lonely, withdrawn, sorrowful, resentful are ___________ characteristics.

sad / mad

Clumsy, slow, foolish, ignorant, irresponsible, crazy are ________ characteristics.

silly

Brainy, brilliant, crafty, keen, intelligent, resourceful are ________ characteristics.

smart

A ____________ character is a character who stays the same throughout the story.

static character

What does newspaper clippings symbolize?

success, dreams, memorizes, passage of time

What does a hour glass symbolize?

time passing

What are the bad men trying to find?

treasure

What does fire symbolize?

warmth, comfort relaxation