HIS MOTHER'S SON
1. Note the quick beginning of the story; no introduction, action from the start. Why is this suitable to this story?
2. Why is slang used so frequently?
3. Point out examples of humor in the story.
4. In your writing, do you ever have trouble in finding just the right word? Note on page 123 how Edna Ferber tries one expression after another, and how on page 122 she finally coins a word—"unadjectivable." What does the word mean?
5. Do you have a clear picture of Emma McChesney? Of Ed Meyers? Note that the description of Meyers in the office is not given all at once, but a touch here and then. Point out all these bits of description of this person, and note how complete the portrait is.
6. What have you learned in this story about the life of a traveling salesman?
7. What qualities must a good salesman possess?
8. Was Emma McChesney a lady? Was Ed Meyers a gentleman? Why do you think so?
9. This story is taken from the book called Roast Beef, Medium. Other good books of short stories by this author are Personality Plus, and Cheerful—by Request.