Name: ______________________________
Freshman English, Period: _______
Date: _____________

"THE UTTERLY PERFECT MURDER"

Think about the conflicts Doug faces. In the box on the left, note all the reasons he has for killing Ralph. In the box on the right, note all the reasons he has for letting Ralph live. Then, in the two boxes at the bottom, write notes to answer the questions.

1. Reasons to kill Ralph

 

 

 

 

 
3. By the end of the story, what has happened to Doug's main external conflict?

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
2. Reasons not to kill Ralph

 

 

 

 

 
4. By the end of the story, what has happened to Doug's main internal conflict?

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

Circle the letter of the best answer.

5. Doug's journey to his hometown begins as a quest for

a. truth
b. identity
c. revenge
d. forgiveness

6. As an adult, Ralph's appearance communicates a general impression of

a. weakness.
b. perfection.
c. innocence.
d. compassion.

7. What does Doug become at the end of the story?

a. a lonely child
b. a cheerful child
c. a bitter old man
d. his own best friend

8. What does Doug resent most about Ralph, and why?

 

 

 

 

 
9. What, in your opinion, is "murdered" in this story?

 

 

 

 

 

 
10. What are some of the things that are accomplished by the "murder"?