Questions for "All Summer in a Day"

Bradbury carefully chooses his words. Connotation means the emotional feeling attached to a word. What is the connotation of the words surge, bore and protesting as used in the text?

Bradbury chooses these words to emphasize the terrible nature of what they did to her and how they did it.

What evidence shows that it is vital for Margot to return to earth even though it may result in the loss of thousands of dollars to her family?

If Margot doesn't move back to Earth she will continue to wither away. It states, "And once, a month ago, she had refused to shower in the school shower rooms, had clutched her hands to her ears and over her head, screaming the water shouldn't touch her head" (Bradbury 2). She is so traumatized by the constant rain that she can't even take a shower. Her family definitely NEEDS to return to Earth as soon as possible.

During the short story, the author states that the students are "smiling". What theme can be inferred by the students' wicked smiling?

It can be inferred that the students will have little or no remorse for what they have done.

Reread the paragraph beginning with "Margot stood alone". Bradbury states, "She was an old photograph". What can the reader infer about how the other students view Margot based on the metaphor?

Margot's appearance has been physically affected by the rain. The rain has washed out all of her color- her life. She now looks like an "old photograph."

In the beginning of the story, "the children are pressed to each other like so many roses, so many weeds, intermixed peering out for a look at the hidden sun" through the window. How do these words by the author convey tone? Why does the author create this tone?

The author chooses the words roses and weeds to show how some of the students are good- the roses- and some are bad- the weeds. It shows the author's attitude about the students.

Consequence in the context means "importance". The levels of importance vary. Bradbury states, "and the children hated Margot for all the big and little consequences". Some were not very important reasons while one was especially an important reason to the children. What are these "big and little consequences?"

The one big reason was that she remembered Earth. The little reasons might be silly things or the way she acts because she is depressed

Reread the paragraph beginning with "Margot stood apart". What does the reader learn about Margot's character? What does the author imply about Margot's character?

The reader learns that Margot is different from the other children. As a result of these differences, she is isolated from them.

Bradbury provides a vivid description of life on Venus. Describe the setting and how it affects the mood. Why does the author begin the story this way?

The weather on Venus is dreary and miserable, which causes the mood to be that as well. The main character, Margot, is greatly affected by the weather in the story.

The phrases, "Aw, you didn't write that!" and "What're you looking at?" are the first responses that William utters to Margot. Why does William have these reactions?

We can tell almost immediately that William is jealous of Margot. He bullies her as a result of this jealousy.

Bradbury states," the students surge about her" to shove Margot into the closet. What motivates them to do this act?

William is the catalyst that motivates the students to put Margot in the closet.