“Spunk” - pgs. 5-6 - Question Set
Directions: Answer the following questions from pgs. 5-6 of “Spunk”.
big black bob-cat, black all over, you hear me, black, walked
round and round that house and howled like forty, an' when
Spunk got his gun an' went to the winder to shoot it, he says
it stood right still an' looked him in the eye, an' howled right
at him. The thing got Spunk so nervoused up he couldn't
shoot. But Spunk says twan't no bob-cat nohow. He says it
was Joe done sneaked back from Hell!"
"Humph!" sniffed Walter, "he oughter be nervous after
what he done. Ah reckon Joe come back to dare him to marry
Lena, or to come out an' fight. Ah bet he'll be back time and
agin, too. Know what Ah think/ Joe ,vuz a braver man than
Spunk."
There was a general shout of derision from the group.
"Thass a fact," went on Walter. "Lookit whut he done;
took a razor an' went out to fight a man he knowed toted a
gun an' wuz a crack shot, too; 'nother thing Joe wuz skeered
of Spunk, skeered plumb stiff! But he went jes' the same. It
took him a long time to get his nerve up. 'Tain't nothin' for
Spunk to fight when he ain't skeered of nothin'. Now, Joe's
done come back to have it out wid the man that's got all he
ever had. Y'll know Joe ain't never had nothin' nor wanted
nothin' besides Lena. It musta been a h'ant cause ain' nobody
never seen no black bob-cat."
"'Nother thing," cut in one of the men, "Spunk wuz
cussin' a blue streak to-day 'cause he 'lowed dat saw wuz
wobblin'-almos' got 'im once. The machinist come, looked
it over an' said it wuz alright. Spunk musta been leanin'
t'wards it some. Den he claimed somebody pushed 'im but
'twant nobody close to 'im. Ah wuz glad when knock.in' off
time come. I'm skeered of <lat man when he gits hot. He'd
beat you full of button holes as quick as he's look atcher."
IV
The men gathered the next evening in a different mood, no
laughter. No badinage this time.
"Look, 'Lige, you goin' to set up wid Spunk/"
"Naw, Ah reckon not, Walter. Tell yuh the truth, Ah'm a Iii
bit skittish. Spunk died too wicket-died cussin' he did. You
know he thought he wuz done outa life."
954 SELECTED STORIES
"Good Lawd, who'd he think done it?"
"Joe."
"Joe Kanty? How come?"
"Walter, Ah b'leeve Ah will walk up thata way an' set. Lena
would like it Ah reckon."
"But whut did he say, 'Lige?"
Elijah did not answer until they had left the lighted store
and were strolling down the dark street.
(end of page 5)
"Ah wuz loadin' a wagon wid scantlin' right near the saw
when Spunk fell on the carriage but 'fore Ah could git to him
the saw got him in the body-awful sight. Me an' Skint
Miller got him off but it was too late. Anybody could see
that. The fust thing he said wuz: 'He pushed me, 'Lige-the
dirty hound pushed me in the back!' -He was spittin' blood
at ev'ry breath. We laid him on the sawdust pile with his face
to the East so's he could die easy. He helt mah han' till the
last, Walter, and said: 'It was Joe, 'Lige-the dirty sneak
shoved me ... he didn't dare come to mah face ... but
Ah'll git the son-of-a-wood louse soon's Ah get there an'
make hell too hot for him .... Ah felt him shove me ... !'
Thass how he died."
"If spirits kin fight, there's a powerful tussle goin' on somewhere ovah Jordan 'cause Ah b'leeve Joe's ready for Spunk
an' ain't skeered any more-yas, Ah b'leeve Joe pushed 'im
mahself."
They had arrived at the house. Lena's lamentations were
deep and loud. She had filled the room with magnolia blossoms that gave off a heavy sweet odor. The keepers of the
wake tipped about whispering in frightened tones. Everyone
in the village was there, even old Jeff Kanty, Joe's father, who
a few hours before would have been afraid to come within ten
feet of him, stood leering triumphantly down upon the fallen
giant as if his fingers had been the teeth of steel that laid him
low.
The cooling board consisted of three sixteen-inch boards
on saw horses, a dingy sheet was his shroud.
The women ate heartily of the funeral baked meats and
wondered who would be Lena's next. The men whispered
coarse conjectures between guzzles of whiskey.
(end of page 6)
(1) Using details from the first paragraph of pg. 5, explain why Walter and Elijah think that Joe, in pursuing Lena and Spunk into the woods, was actually intent on taking his own life.
(2) Based on details from pg. 5, what does Walter say that redeems him, character-wise? How does he seem better than he did in the beginning?
(4) Given how pg. 5 begins, without citing, describe how Spunk (like Elijah) is starting to be characterized differently.
(5) On pg. 5, the author uses the word ‘claimed’ to describe something that Spunk believes. Spunk sure is making a lot of claims ever since seeing the black bobcat. What does this suggest about Spunk’s growing level of anxiety?
(7) Given the nature of the dialogue that you just wrote about in (6), how does it, again, seek to characterize Elijah and Walter in yet another way?
(9) A lot of you, in responses to questions from pgs. 3-4, wrote about the notion of karma. Given the black bobcat and Spunk’s reflection on how he died, explain how karma may have had an impact on the plot of the narrative short story.
(10) Reflect on the narrative in general and explain Lena’s importance. Given the outcomes, how valuable was she as a character?
(11) The author uses the word ‘spirits’ on pg. 6. Given other supernatural elements that occur in this narrative short story, explain how it may reflect this newly-expressed culture during The Harlem Renaissance.
(12) Reflect on Spunk as a character from beginning to end. Explain Spunk as a character, specifically explaining if he had any good attributes…or if he was just nothing but flaws covered up by physical strength.
(13) Describe how Jeff Kanty, Joe’s father, plays a part near the end of the narrative.
(14) Citing evidence from pg. 6, identify elements the author uses to make it clear that this story takes place in the American South (making it not only The Harlem Renaissance but also Regionalism).
(15) Zora Neal Hurston does an amazing job developing dynamic, well-rounded characters but also, in her final paragraph, includes details of a tradition/ceremony. Cite these details and explain how they reflect culture in The Harlem Renaissance.
(1) Walter and Elijah believe that Joe, in pursuing Lena and Spunk into the woods, was actually intent on taking his own life because they think Joe came back to dare Spunk to marry Lena or come out and fight. Walter mentions that Joe was a braver man than Spunk, and they think Joe pushed Spunk in the back to start a fight, knowing he wouldn't dare to his face.
(2) Walter redeems himself character-wise by showing concern for Spunk's death and wanting to comfort Lena. He seems better than he did in the beginning as he expresses sympathy and decides to walk up to Spunk's house to offer support for Lena.
(4) Spunk, like Elijah, is starting to be characterized differently as he is portrayed as nervous and anxious. He claims to have seen Joe in the form of a black bobcat, which has made him nervous and unable to shoot his gun.
(5) Spunk's growing level of anxiety is suggested by the fact that he is making a lot of claims about seeing Joe in the form of a bobcat. This indicates that Spunk is becoming increasingly paranoid and unsettled after the encounter with the black bobcat.
(7) The dialogue between Elijah and Walter seeks to further characterize them as individuals with different levels of empathy and understanding. Elijah shares Spunk's last words and tries to make sense of his death, while Walter shows concern for Lena and offers to support her.
(9) Karma may have had an impact on the plot of the narrative short story through the idea of retribution. Spunk's actions, particularly his mistreatment of Joe and Lena, may have come back to haunt him in the form of the black bobcat and ultimately led to his tragic death.
(10) Lena is important in the narrative as she serves as a catalyst for the conflict between Spunk and Joe. Her presence drives the jealousy and anger between the two men, ultimately leading to Spunk's demise. Lena's character is valuable in shaping the events of the story and highlighting the tensions between the characters.
(11) The use of the word ‘spirits’ on pg. 6, along with other supernatural elements in the story, reflects the newly-expressed culture during The Harlem Renaissance by incorporating elements of folklore and mysticism. These supernatural elements add depth to the narrative and explore themes of fate and retribution.
(12) Spunk is portrayed as a complex character with both strengths and flaws. While he is physically strong, he is also shown to be arrogant and aggressive towards others. His downfall is a result of his hubris and mistreatment of Joe and Lena. It can be said that Spunk's good attributes are overshadowed by his negative traits.
(13) Jeff Kanty, Joe’s father, plays a part near the end of the narrative by standing triumphantly over Spunk's fallen body, suggesting a sense of victory or closure for him. His presence adds to the tension and drama surrounding Spunk's death.
(14) The author uses elements such as the presence of magnolia blossoms and references to funeral customs to make it clear that the story takes place in the American South. These details are characteristic of Southern culture and help to establish the setting and atmosphere of the narrative.
(15) The details of Lena filling the room with magnolia blossoms and the women eating funeral baked meats reflect cultural traditions and ceremonies in The Harlem Renaissance. These details add richness and authenticity to the narrative, highlighting the importance of rituals and customs in the community.