The Mysteries of the Cabala Bys: Isaac Bashevis Singer
Interpretive Questions: Be sure to answer all questions in complete sentences using quotes to support.
1.) Why does their exchange of stories separate the narrator and Mendel, rather than bring them closer together?
They separate the narrator and Mendel because they are lying to each other and trying to out due each other.
"Mendel, enough of these lies." PG.167
2.) Why does Mendel’s story enchant the narrator, even though he “knew it was all lies”? (p. 163)
Even though the narrator knows that Mendel's story is a lie but still enchants about is because he thinks the story is pretty cool.
"Now I was trying to invent a story as wonderful as Mendel's, or even more so." PG.164
3.) When the narrator realizes that he has “overdone it” with the Cabala story, why does he say that it is Mendel’s fault? (p. 165)
When the narrator realizes that he has "overdone"(PG.165) he blames Mendel that it is his fault because Mendel started lying and if it wasn't for him the narrator wouldn't lie.
4.) Why does the narrator say, “Mendel, enough of these lies,” when he enjoyed Mendel’s story at first? (p. 167)
The narrator says "Mendel, enough of these lies,"(PG.167) even though he enjoyed the story at first was because it was too much lies and it was getting annoying.
5.) Why does the narrator call Mendel a “girl chaser” and run away from him? (p. 168)
The narrator calls Mendel a "girl chaser"(PG.168) and run away from him is because he thought it was funny and was making fun of him.
6.) Why does the narrator want to learn the Cabala?
The narrator wanted to learn the Cabala is because he wanted to prove Mendel wrong and he also wants to know the power of the book.
"I can create pigeons. I can make wine flow from the wall." PG.164
7.) When it is his turn to tell a story, why does the narrator make up one about powers he has gained from knowing the Cabala?
When its the narrator's turn to say his story he makes one up about gaining powers from knowing the Cabala is because he wan't to be better the Mendel and make Mendel stupid.
"I said: 'I know the Cabala!" PG.164
8.) Why does the narrator say, “Papa, I want it now” after his father tells him he must not learn the Cabala before he is thirty? (p. 169)
The narrator says, "Papa I want it now"(PG.169) after his father tells him he must not learn the Cabala before he is thirty is because he wants to grow up and he can prove to Mendel he knows the Cabala.
9.) Why does the narrator say he is going to get married, but then ask, “Papa, can you find out from the Cabala who you are going to get engaged to”? (p. 170)
The narrator says he isn't going to get married but then tells his father, "Papa, can you find out from the Cabala who you are going to get engaged to"(PG.170) is because he doesn't want to tell Mendel he likes girls.
10.) At the end of the story, why do the narrator’s eyes fill with tears?
The narrator at the end of the story eye's fill up with tears is because he knows that he is growing up to be a man and he knows that his friendship with Mendel is over.
"You are growing up, my son." PG.171
Vocabulary:
1.) Envious (p. 164)
Quote: "He was envious of me...."
Definition (based on context/in your own words):wanting what somebody else has
Synonym: good luck
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word):Everyone is envious about my style.
2.) Abruptly (p. 164)
Quote: "Abruptly I said...." PG.164
Definition (based on context/in your own words): suddenly
Synonym: unexpected
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Abruptly, Jordan screamed.
3.) Mockery (p. 164)
Quote: "Mendel's Tartar eyes filled with mockery." PG.164
Definition (based on context/in your own words): disbelief
Synonym: not believing
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word):I mockery that One Direction will end.
4.) Uncanny (p. 166)
Quote: "Uncanny noises came from in there." PG.166
Definition (based on context/in your own words): strange
Synonym: weird
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Jordan can do some uncanny noises.
5.) Divulged (p. 169)
Quote: ...." should not be divulged to a man..." PG.169
Definition (based on context/in your own words): shared
Synonym: given
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): You can't divulged this to any one.
6.) Destined (p. 170)
Quote: "She, the one destined for me..." PG.170
Definition (based on context/in your own words): meant to be
Synonym: the one
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Niall Horn is destined for me.
Thinking Map:
Use textual evidence to show examples of when the narrator feels certain about something and when the narrator feels uncertain about something. Include 5 examples and support with page numbers and opinion for each column.
Narrator feels CERTAIN about something V. Narrator feels UNCERTAIN about something
1.) Why does their exchange of stories separate the narrator and Mendel, rather than bring them closer together?
They separate the narrator and Mendel because they are lying to each other and trying to out due each other.
"Mendel, enough of these lies." PG.167
2.) Why does Mendel’s story enchant the narrator, even though he “knew it was all lies”? (p. 163)
Even though the narrator knows that Mendel's story is a lie but still enchants about is because he thinks the story is pretty cool.
"Now I was trying to invent a story as wonderful as Mendel's, or even more so." PG.164
3.) When the narrator realizes that he has “overdone it” with the Cabala story, why does he say that it is Mendel’s fault? (p. 165)
When the narrator realizes that he has "overdone"(PG.165) he blames Mendel that it is his fault because Mendel started lying and if it wasn't for him the narrator wouldn't lie.
4.) Why does the narrator say, “Mendel, enough of these lies,” when he enjoyed Mendel’s story at first? (p. 167)
The narrator says "Mendel, enough of these lies,"(PG.167) even though he enjoyed the story at first was because it was too much lies and it was getting annoying.
5.) Why does the narrator call Mendel a “girl chaser” and run away from him? (p. 168)
The narrator calls Mendel a "girl chaser"(PG.168) and run away from him is because he thought it was funny and was making fun of him.
6.) Why does the narrator want to learn the Cabala?
The narrator wanted to learn the Cabala is because he wanted to prove Mendel wrong and he also wants to know the power of the book.
"I can create pigeons. I can make wine flow from the wall." PG.164
7.) When it is his turn to tell a story, why does the narrator make up one about powers he has gained from knowing the Cabala?
When its the narrator's turn to say his story he makes one up about gaining powers from knowing the Cabala is because he wan't to be better the Mendel and make Mendel stupid.
"I said: 'I know the Cabala!" PG.164
8.) Why does the narrator say, “Papa, I want it now” after his father tells him he must not learn the Cabala before he is thirty? (p. 169)
The narrator says, "Papa I want it now"(PG.169) after his father tells him he must not learn the Cabala before he is thirty is because he wants to grow up and he can prove to Mendel he knows the Cabala.
9.) Why does the narrator say he is going to get married, but then ask, “Papa, can you find out from the Cabala who you are going to get engaged to”? (p. 170)
The narrator says he isn't going to get married but then tells his father, "Papa, can you find out from the Cabala who you are going to get engaged to"(PG.170) is because he doesn't want to tell Mendel he likes girls.
10.) At the end of the story, why do the narrator’s eyes fill with tears?
The narrator at the end of the story eye's fill up with tears is because he knows that he is growing up to be a man and he knows that his friendship with Mendel is over.
"You are growing up, my son." PG.171
Vocabulary:
1.) Envious (p. 164)
Quote: "He was envious of me...."
Definition (based on context/in your own words):wanting what somebody else has
Synonym: good luck
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word):Everyone is envious about my style.
2.) Abruptly (p. 164)
Quote: "Abruptly I said...." PG.164
Definition (based on context/in your own words): suddenly
Synonym: unexpected
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Abruptly, Jordan screamed.
3.) Mockery (p. 164)
Quote: "Mendel's Tartar eyes filled with mockery." PG.164
Definition (based on context/in your own words): disbelief
Synonym: not believing
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word):I mockery that One Direction will end.
4.) Uncanny (p. 166)
Quote: "Uncanny noises came from in there." PG.166
Definition (based on context/in your own words): strange
Synonym: weird
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Jordan can do some uncanny noises.
5.) Divulged (p. 169)
Quote: ...." should not be divulged to a man..." PG.169
Definition (based on context/in your own words): shared
Synonym: given
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): You can't divulged this to any one.
6.) Destined (p. 170)
Quote: "She, the one destined for me..." PG.170
Definition (based on context/in your own words): meant to be
Synonym: the one
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Niall Horn is destined for me.
Thinking Map:
Use textual evidence to show examples of when the narrator feels certain about something and when the narrator feels uncertain about something. Include 5 examples and support with page numbers and opinion for each column.
Narrator feels CERTAIN about something V. Narrator feels UNCERTAIN about something