Summer Reading Study Guides

The Ball and the Cross by G.K. Chesterton

Study Questions

1. Identify: Professor Lucifer, Fr. Michael, James Turnbull, Evan MacIan, Cumberland Vane, Henry Gordon, Morrice Wimpey, Beatrice Drake, Mr. Wilkinson, Pierre Durand, Madeleine Durand, Dr. Quayle, Dr. Hutton. Give a brief overview of the plot.

2. How is the world of science and evolution described? The world of poetry and religion? (Chp.1)

3. What is “the ball and the cross?” (Ch.1)

4. Why does Prof. Lucifer prefer the symbol of the ball? (Ch.1)

5. What is the point about Fr. Michael’s parable about the man who broke up every cross he saw? What happened to Michael? (Ch. 1)

6. Describe what happened outside the editorial offices of “The Atheist?” (Ch. 2)

7. Why did MacIan challenge Turnbull to fight? (Ch. 2)

8. Why did MacIan and Turnbull go to the curiosity shop? (Ch. 3)

9. What is meant by the following: “You can’t be angry with a bad man. But a good man in the wrong—why one thirsts for his blood.” (Ch. 3)

10. What is the class of people “whose interest simply is that things should happen?” (Ch.4)

11. What is the big argument in Chapter 4?

12. What is the distinction between “bloodshed” and “murder?” Which is sinful and why? (Ch. 5)

13. MacIan summarizes the Peacemaker’s philosophy. Put it in your own words. (Ch. 5)

14. Describe the interior of Morrice Wimpey’s home. (Ch. 6)

15. Describe Morrice Wimpey’s philosophy. Was Wimpey consistent in that philosophy? Why/Why not? (Ch. 6)

16. Why, according to MacIan, is Turnbull “divine?” (Ch. 7)

17. What is the big argument of Ch. 8?

18. What is meant by the following: “Catholic virtue is often invisible because it is the normal.” (Ch. 8)

19. What was “the strange lady’s attitude about the duel? How did she help them? (Ch. 9)

20. Why did the men think that they landed in France? How did they come to be where they were? (Ch. 10)

21. What does this exchange refer to and what does it tell you about Turnbull: “You touched a bit of bread,” said Turnbull...“I know it is only a bit of bread,” said Turnbull… “Then why did you refuse to eat it?” she said. (Ch. 11)

22. In another book Chesterton speaks about the thrill of discovering a new country, only to find out it is your home. Where does this happen in The Ball and the Cross?

23. What was the “garden” actually? (Ch. 13-14)

24. What was the big argument in Chapter 14?

25. According to the authorities, why was MacIan deemed to be insane? (Ch. 14)

26. According to the authorities, why was Turnbull deemed to be a maniac? (Ch. 14)

27. Briefly describe the dreams of MacIan and Turnbull. (Ch. 15-16)

28. Where in the asylum were MacIan and Turnbull sent? Why? (Ch. 17)

29. Who is in “A?” (Ch. 17)

30. Why were the men locked up for a month? What happened in Parliament? (Ch. 18)

31. What does MacIan mean when he says: “That is the only real question—whether the Church is really madder than the world.” (Ch. 19)

32. What is the thing that both men hate even more than they ever hated each other? (Ch. 19)

33. Why was the duel so dangerous? (Ch. 20)

34. What is the significance of Quayle and Hutton falling out of the flying ship? (Ch. 20)

35. What had survived the fire? (Ch. 20)

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Study Questions

1. To whom are Wormwood, Screwtape, the Enemy, the patient, and Our Father referring? Give a brief overview of the plot and players.

2. What are the modern day weapons that confuse modern man? Name at least three. (Chp.1)

3. What is meant by the “pressure of the ordinary”? (Chp. 1)

4. What is the “disappointment that occurs on the threshold of every human endeavor? (Chp. 2)

5. What does Screwtape mean when he says that “the Enemy” leaves them “to do it on their own”? (Chp. 2)

6. Why is a person much harder to tempt when not relying on emotion? (Chp.2)

7. Why does Screwtape suggest trying to keep the patient’s mind off “elementary duties” and “the obvious”? (Chp. 3)

8. What is the difference between feeling virtuous and actually being virtuous (i.e., courageous, forgiving, charitable, etc.)? (Chp. 4)

9. What is “nakedness in prayer”? (Chp. 4)

10. What are some of the possible fruits of a war against which Screwtape warns? (Chp.5)

11. What is a “trough period” and why is this state of soul so critical? (Chp. 8)

12. Who is the inventor of all pleasure? (Chp. 9)

13. What is the difference between “I am losing interest in this” and “this is false”? (Chp. 9)

14. Of what value are the words puritanical, priggish, and intolerant to Wormwood and Screwtape? (Chp. 10)

15. What is flippancy? (Chp. 11)

16. What are the two different ways a person can lose himself? (Chp. 13)

17. What is real humility and what is false humility? (Chp. 14)

18. Is it best to live in the past, present, or future? Why? (Chp. 15)

19. What is the proper attitude to have in Church? (Chp. 16)

20. What is the problem with the way Screwtape describes how women ought to look? (Chp. 20)

21. What is the incorrect understanding of ownership? What is the correct? (Chp. 21)

22. In the end, who are the only two real owners? (Chp. 21)

23. What is rhythm? Give and example. (Chp 25)

24. What is novelty and what is the trouble with a continual desire for novelty? What does this desire produce? (Chp 25)

25. How can the genuine beginnings of unselfishness in a relationship turn into a dangerous false unselfishness years later? (Chp 26)

26. What ought one do with distraction in prayer? (Chp. 27)

27. What does it mean to be “taken out of himself”? (Chp. 28)

28. Why is it so difficult for humans to persevere? (Chp. 28)

29. Why can humans never feel quite at home in this world? (Chp. 28)

30. Why is an earthly calamity so often an occasion for courage? (Chp. 28)

31. What finally happens to Wormwood’s patient? (Chp. 31)