The Rock and The River

Sam is constantly learning from those around him. Does he ever teach anyone else? If so, what does he teach them and how does he teach it?

How does Sam’s interest in architecture relate to the way he learns to see the world?

How does Stick’s reluctance to tell Sam about certain aspects of his life and the world impact Sam’s development?

What role does Father’s physical injury and increasing weakness play in Sam’s development?

How do differences in socioeconomic class create distance between Sam and Maxie?

Why does Sam often use the natural environment (the weather, the lake) as a metaphor for how he feels?

Sam’s family attends church regularly, but Sam does not make spiritual references in his struggle to reach adulthood. What does the absence of his religious beliefs in his story suggest?

When Mama and Father fight after Sam sneaks out to go to the Panther class, how does Father appear similar to Sam in his response? What does this moment indicate about Father, Sam, and Sam’s development?