What does Tom shout out as he breaks the glass? (“
Clare!
”)
What method did Tom use to first break the window glass?
The first methods Tom uses to try to break the window glass include
using the heel of his hand, a half-dollar coin, and his leather shoe
. When these clearly fail, he realizes that he is going to have to put all of his strength into one, decisive blow.
What is Tom's last thought before he strikes the window?
Before his revelation, Tom thinks,
contents of the dead man's pocket, a wasted life
.
Why does Tom climb out of his window?
Tom climbs out the window
to get a piece of paper that seems important to him
. The harrowing description of Tom's experiences once he is out on the ledge would make it seem that he must have been crazy to have gone out there in the first place.
Which quote best describes Tom's motivation at the beginning of the story?
“You work too much, though Tom – too hard.” which quote best describes Tom's motivation at the beginning of the story? … which quote best supports the theme of the story? “
All they'd find in his pockets would be the yellow sheet.”
What was in the dead man's pocket?
All they'd find in his pockets would be the
yellow sheet
. Contents of the dead man's pockets, he thought, one sheet of paper bearing penciled notations– incomprehensible. He understood fully that he might actually be going to die; his arms, maintaining his balance on the ledge, were trembling steadily now.
What distracts Tom from his work?
In the beginning of the story, Tom Benecke is at home working, but he is having a hard time getting started. What distracts him from his work? The author states
that he has a “guilty conscience”
: he is feeling guilty that he would rather work than spend time with his wife.
How does Tom attract attention?
How does Tom try to attract attention? …
Tom throws burning letters and coins to the street below
to attract attention. He is unsuccessful because people either fail to see these signals or ignore them.
What is the only thing keeping Tom from reaching his apartment?
What is the only thing keeping Tom from reaching his apartment? His fear Pages 22-23 1.
Why does Tom choose to stay home?
In this story, Tom is a real go-getter.
He wants to work hard so he can
be known as “the Boy Wizard of Wholesale Groceries.” Because of this, he decides to stay home and work instead of go to the movie he wanted to see with his wife whom he loves. He is giving up that sort of pleasure in order to get ahead.
Why does Tom decide not to go to the movies with Clare?
What do you learn about Tom from his decision not to go with Clare?
He is a workaholic and doesn't spend enough time with his wife
. … Because he wasted his life being a workaholic and not leaving his life to the fullest and not spending time with the one that should mean the most to him, his wife.
How does the dead man's pocket end?
Having nearly killed himself to go and get it, Tom
returns to his appartment and leaves it on the desk
. However, as he opens the front door to go and meet his wife, warm air from the hall rushes through and blows the paper through the window that Tom had left open.
What floor do Tom and Clare live on?
Clare and Tom Benecke are a young married couple who live in Manhattan, New York City, on Lexington Avenue in a high-rise on
the eleventh floor
.
How did Tom force himself concentrate?
After he gained control of his breathing, Tom forced himself to concentrate
on the motion of his body
, while compartmentalizing his fear deep in his mind.
Which tactic does Tom use to try to draw attention to himself?
He simply could not do it. He couldn't bring himself to make the slightest movement. He realizes that he needs help. The first attempt he makes to attract attention is by
shouting “Help!”
as loudly as possible.
What rules does Tom make for himself?
As thoughts of his death flood his mind, Tom
forces his mind shut against every idea
but what he must do to get back into the apartment. “By a kind of trick” of his mind, Tom moves each foot methodically. When he slips against the window, Tom sees everything as he had left it through the window that he cannot open.
