Free write: The rookie season, what fun. Roy arrives for his first full day and his uniform has been knotted and soaked, his stockings are shredded, and much, much more. Back in 1952 when The Natural was published, hazing was a fairly common practice. Now, its illegal and quite controversial when it does happen.
Reflect on and write about a time when you were a newcomer, a rookie. Maybe it's when you joined a new team, when you arrived at a new school, or when you moved to a new neighborhood. What was it like for you as a newcomer and was there hazing involved?
Discussion
1. In what ways is Bump a failed hero?
2. What kind of person is Roy? How has he changed in 15 years and how has he stayed the same?
3. In what ways are Bump, the Whammer and Roy all variations of the same hero mold? What is Malamud telling us about heroes in society?
4. What's the significance of the train?
5. Roy waits for Memo & the chance to play. What do these to things have in common? What is Roy seeking from both?
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