1. How does the main character Archie describe his father-in-law’s behaviour in the beginning of the story? What are the reasons for such behaviour? How is it made obvious through the whole text?
2. What is the attitude of Archie and his father-in-law to each other? Find details that testify to it.
3. What keeps the reader in suspense in the description of Archie’s coming to his father-in-law’s hotel room? Does he seem to notice any unusual circumstances? What creates suspense? Where does it reach its culminating point? What means of foregrounding accentuates climax?
4. How does Archie’s represented speech contribute to the understanding of his state of mind?
5. How are Archie and his father-in-law contrasted in their conversation after the fight?
6. What news does Archie break at the end of the story? How does it change his father-in-law’s behaviour? What expressive means and stylistic devices create a humorous effect?
7. What role do numerous author’s digressions play in the story? Comment on the general slant of the story.