What characteristics of the family does the narrator point out?
Joe: He is 16 years old, he still seems to be pretty childish. Joes nose is not like the others. It might be the result of an affair. Joe is generally not like his family. He has raped Shirley.

The family: They all look like each other except from Joe. They have a very characteristic nose. Those characteristics bind the family together. They have a lot of traditions for an example birthday tea.

What is the effect of the narrator’s insistence on the ordinariness and normality of the family?
The whole story gets more exciting, because you start thinking about what Joe will do, when he’s not with his family. You get the feeling that like he’s not like the others, and because of that, the reader thinks that something unpredictable will happen.

Find other suggestions that Joe’s brother tries to defend the family and its values?
P. 33 S. 11. ”As I mentioned before, Joe doesn’t have the family nose.” It is mentioned a lot of times in the text and it is almost like they don’t accept him in the family.

Where does it become evident that he is also shocked at what Joe has done?
P.33 ” Actually the reason we all washed up tonight is because Joe raped Harry Bushes youngest..”, P.35 “I feel a bit sorry for him” At these two points, it becomes clear to the narrator that Joe has raped her. But I don’t think that the narrator, at any time, is shocked about it.

Describe Joe’s preparation for his night out. Why does he borrow from other family members?
He borrows a razor, a tartan tie and white sports coat. We think he borrows these items to give his conscience a break. To give the blame to someone else and to feel that he is not the one doing it.

In what ways does Joe seem to be different from the rest of the family? Why does the narrator insist so much on him not having “the family nose”? When does the father also mention this?
The others seem to be very family oriented and social with each other. And Joe seems to very introvert and secluded. Joe is also different from the rest of the family, because he doesn’t have “the family nose”

How does Joe apparently spend most of his nights at home?
Joe sits in his room picking his scabs.

What role do the scabs on his knees play in he story?
Every time something about Shirley Bush Joes starts to ripe of his scabs. Maybe is something about that every time that Joe is getting nervous he’s starting to ripe of his scabs.

What is the narrator’s point of mentioning the fact that Joe was not circumcised?
The narrator’s point of mention that Joe is circumcised, is something about that Joe comes from another family and another religion. Some religions have other traditions.