Review Questions: Chapter 4

 

1.         In this chapter we learn something about the history of both the Mayor and the town of Bazelton.  How tightly are these histories intertwined?  To what degree is the Mayor a product of his hometown, and, conversely, to what degree has the town been influenced by the Mayor's governance of it?  How much of the Mayor's character is derived from the fact that he has lived in one place all his life?  Would you have the same impression of the Mayor if he were shown to have lived in several different places?

 

2.         We learn in this chapter that the Mayor is running for the governorship of his state.  We also learn that his wife is seriously ill.  Does it seem right that he should be pursuing such an ambitious career objective under these circumstances?  How does the Mayor view his responsibilities to both his wife and his political goals in this regard, and what actions does he take to uphold those responsibilities?  Do you see his actions as correct or flawed?

 

3.         Throughout this chapter (and the rest of the book, as well), the Mayor is referred to by the author, and addressed by other characters, solely by his job title and not by his given name.  How does this form of address reflect on the Mayor's character?  Assuming that the Mayor could have at any time asked people to address him by name, why do you think he has never done so?  In what other occupations, both in this book and in real life, are people typically referred to by their job title rather than by their name?  What do these conventions say about our view of those occupations?

 

4.         When the Mayor analyzes the strategy for his political campaign, he focuses in on the "one-half of one-half of one-half" of the electorate that he must carry to win the election.  He further observes that "he didn't need agreement to win; division served him much better under the present circumstances."  What does this type of thinking reveal to us about the Mayor as both a person and a public official?  How might it affect his dealings with people who disagree with him on an issue?

 

 

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