Essay Questions

Why does Mike suspect his father?

After seeing his father sat on a park bench in the afternoon, staring into space, Mike becomes suspicious. Over the days, Mike's father becomes increasingly suspicious, and Mike collects his "evidence": "That’s why I’m writing this, putting it all down, all the evidence I gathered. That first time in the park when he was sitting there. The telephone call. That book of poetry he reads late at night, “To Jimmy, I’ll never forget you. Muriel.” Laura Kincaid in the library. Not much evidence, really. Especially when I look at him and see how he’s my father all right."

Why does Mike's mother want him to shave off his mustache?

Mike's mother shows her disapproval of his mustache, saying that "I still say a seventeen-year-old has no business wearing a moustache," She also mentions the fact that it is costing his money. He explains that at the cinema "the women in the box office took one look at my moustache and charged me full price. Even when I showed her my driver's license. She charged full admission for Cindy's ticket, too, which left me practically broke and unable to take Cindy out for a hamburger with the crowd afterward."