Essay Questions

What does the Sheriff ask Arnold?

The Sheriff asks Arnold whether he and his brother were good friends or not. The question confuses him because he was very close to his brother and he couldn't think living without him. He thinks, What did he mean – good friends? Arnold wanted to be with Eugie more than anyone else but he couldn't say that he was a good friend of his brother or not. Although such questions couldn't change the fact that his brother was death but still the Sheriff asks implausible questions to a nine year old boy.

How does Eugie die?

Eugie was accidentally shot by his brother while they were going to collect peas. Arnold was nine years old and Eugie was fifteen years old when they were holding rifles in their hands. Arnold loves his brother and he couldn't understand even after killing his brother that what to do with his dead body. When Eugie was shot dead, Arnold continues his journey of collecting peas and after coming back he tells his family about the incident.

What was the reaction of Arnold's family after Eugie's death?

Everyone holds him responsible for his brother's death. His parents doesn't talk to him and his sister Nora couldn't understand about her future behavior with her brother. Uncle Andy continuously taunts him and says, "It’s us who ain’t reasonable. If we’d of shot our brother, we’d come of runnin’ back to the house, like a baby." He blames a nine years old boy of murdering his dearest brother and calls him a monster. Arnold tries to talk to his mother but she doesn't bother about listening to him. Then the boy decides to cope with the tragedy alone.