Old Yeller : Chapter 1 

1. "He made me so mad at first that I wanted to kill him.

Then, later, when I had to kill him, it was like having to shoot some of my own folks."  (p. 1) 

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Explain why the author might put such bold foreshadowing into the first page of the novel.  Think about how this quote makes the reader feel at this moment? Explain how you feel after reading this quote now that you have the rest of the book to read. 

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2. Explain the setting, time period and conditions as the novel opens. The narrator explains the need for "cash money." Explain how this will  add to life. 

 

3. Explain why the father must leave the family.

 

4. Explain Travis's responsibilities in detail when his father is gone. List the examples of what he must do in his father's absence. 

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5. Explain what Travis desires most. He talks to his father about it before he leaves. What will he need to do to make his dream come true? 

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6. Explain what Travis did for the very first time in the first chapter. Why was it important?

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7. Explain in detail why most settlers in "this part of the country" had dogs. There are at least 4 reasons. 

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8. Explain Travis's relationship with Bell. 

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9. Explain how Momma and Papa decided to build on Birdsong Creek. 

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10. Travis catches Arliss swimming in the drinking water. Explain why Momma doesn't tell him "he's getting too big for his britches." when Travis runs after him? Why does she suddenly smile(10). Think deeply. 

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11. Explain why Travis believes he'd "made a good start." There should be at least three examples (14-15).

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