Killing Mr. Griffin Study Guide 1
CHAPTER ONE
1. Briefly identify the children in the McConnell family.
Craig(12 years old); Twins(7 years old); Susan, Mom, Dad.
2. What does Susan mean by “someday”?
A fantasy of a different life.
3. Who is David Ruggles? How does Susan feel about him?
President of the Senior class. Susan likes him.
4. Several other students of Room 117 are introduced. Briefly identify them.
Mark(Crazy, Sly, Mischievous); Jeff(Athlete); Betsy(cheerleader).
5. In the classroom scene, what emphasizes Susan’s feelings of being an outsider?
Shes tries to be ignored. She doesnt want others to notice her, because she doesnt fit in like the rest of the class.
6. Two teachers are introduced. Briefly identify them.
Mr. Griffin(Strict); Dolly Luna(Air head)
7. Mr. Griffin is very strict and stern with the students. Do you think these qualities make
him a good teacher? Briefly explain your answer.
No, its good to have some rules, but there is no sense in someone being that way towards people for no reason.
8. An allusion is when a writer refers to a person, place, poem, book, or movie that the
reader, is expected to recognize. Find an example of allusion in this chapter.
Hamlet. Songs of Ophelia.
9. In what ways does Susan think she and the dying female in Hamlet are similar?
She feels like shes drowning because her brothers are good looking and she is not.
10. A metaphor is a comparison of two things that are basically unlike, in order to create a
sharp picture. In this first chapter find the metaphor involving a bird that helps the author
define how Susan is feeling about her life.
The bird smacks the window and is almost suspended in air.
11. Jeff says, “That Griffin’s the sort of guy you’d like to kill.” Why doesn’t Susan think he is serious?
No one really seriously thinks about killing people.
12. Frequently, objects which seem inconsequential when first mentioned become an
important part of the plot later. In the last six paragraphs do you notice any object that might be foreshadowed?
The pills. "Griffins the kinda guy you'd like to kill."
CHAPTER TWO
1. Why does Mark say the following? “Jeff’s done a neat job of lining us up for a mass flunkout.”
Griffin is out to fail everyone.
2. Explain Mark’s special dislike of Mr. Griffin.
Mr. Griffin made him repeat the class.
3. “Jeff had seen that look before, and it always meant something.” What look does Jeff see? What does Jeff think it means?
Gleam in his eyes, looks like he wants to do something to someone.
4. Why do Jeff and Betsy go along with Mark’s plan to kidnap Mr. Griffin?
They think its not serious, like with Dolly Luna.
5. Why does Mark believe Dave will go along with the plan?
He has nothing to lose and needs a passing grade to go to college.
6. What does Mark know about Susan that makes him think she will be their decoy?
She likes Dave.
7. A flashback is a scene that interrupts the ongoing action to show an event that happens
earlier. Briefly describe the flashback in this chapter. Explain why the author chooses to
include it.
When mark set a cat on fire. It includes insight for mark's character.
CHAPTER THREE
1. The members of David’s family are introduced. Briefly identify them.
Mrs. Ruggles-David's Grandma(invalid), His mother works as a secretary to support them. His dad left when he was young.
2. Why does David think he needs a good education?
To support his family.
3. Find the metaphor in this chapter that helps illustrate the emptiness of David’s life.
Sterile, dark, lonely.
4. Support or refute the following statement:
David goes along with Mark because he dislikes Mr. Griffin and needs a better English
grade to get into law school.
Support. He needs to support his family.
CHAPTER FOUR
1. Why are Saturday’s special for Susan?
No one wakes her up so she doesnt have to be around her family.
2. Find a quotation in the chapter that illustrates the idea that Susan feels a part of the picnic group?
"that suddenly and easily she felt like she was one of them."
3. Who is Lana?
Mark's ex-girlfriend.
4. How does Susan feel about Mark before the picnic?
She is scared of him.
5. A symbol is an object, person, or place that has a meaning in itself and that also stands
for something larger than itself. How may the eyeglasses be a symbol in this chapter?
She took her glasses offm so she wasnt seeing clearly during the plan.
6. Foreshadowing is also used to create interest and build suspense. Since this is a mystery
story, there are many examples of foreshadowing. Find an example of foreshadowing in
this chapter that lets the reader know Susan is going to have problems.
Thats the happiest she will ever be.
CHAPTER FIVE
1. How does the author illustrate Kathy Griffin’s stubborn personality?
She wants to cook while she is pregnant.
2. Briefly explain Mr. Griffin’s reason for leaving Stanford to teach high school.
College freshman had a hard time writing.
3. What does Mr. Griffin think about Susan?
He likes her but thinks she is lazy.
4. Why is Kathy Griffin upset by her husband’s description of Dolly?
Kathy didnt do good in school and he was picking on Dolly and Kathy thinks he will do the same to her.
5. How does her husband make her feel better?
He tells her he loves her and she is real.
6. Why does Mrs. Griffin want Brian to compliment Susan on her writing?
Susan needs complments too instead od just critisism.
7. Find an example of foreshadowing in this chapter.
The kiss felt like a goodbye.
8. Why do you suppose the pills are mentioned again? Why does the author bother
mentioning his tie?
To emphasize the need for the pills. The tie is a symbol for his dignity.
9. We learn that Mrs. Griffin is pregnant. How does she hope having a child will change her husband? Why might the author have added the pregnancy into the story.
She thinks it will soften him up.
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