"Contents Of The Dead Man's Pocket"

“Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket” contains both internal and external conflicts. In an essay, describe a conflict from the story and state whether it is an internal or external conflict. Then, tell how the conflict is resolved in the story.

At the beginning of the story, what seems to be the most important thing in Tom  Benecke’s life?  

• Opening the window that always sticks

• Going to the movies with his wife

• Getting paid at the end of the week

• Getting a promotion at work

Which of the following events happened first in “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket”?  

• Tom thought about what the police would find in his pockets.

• Tom dropped coins from his pockets to the street below.

• Tom watched his wife get ready to go out alone.

• Tom smashed his fist through the window.

Which of the following events causes Tom to go out on the ledge?  

• Tom does research on store displays.

• Clare goes to the movies alone.

• Tom’s paper flies out the window.

• Tom puts on his coat.

Which even in “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket” causes Tom to panic?  

• His wife goes to the movies.

• He sees the street below him.

• He thinks about the contents of his pockets.

• He sees a man reading a newspaper across the street.

Which of the following is a moment of high suspense in the story?

• Clare leaves.

• Tom looks down and panics.

• Tom stares through the window into his living room.

• Tom sees the yellow paper fly out the window a second time.

Why doesn’t Tom simply wait for his wife to come home and help him?

• He thinks she probably would not notice him on the ledge.

• She will become very angry if she comes home and finds him on the ledge.

• She had left early to see the second feature and would not be home for hours.

• He wants to get off the ledge and join her at the movies.

Why does Tom change his attitude toward life?

• His wife goes to the movies alone.

• He almost falls off the ledge and dies.

• He smashes his fist through the window.

• The paper flies out the window again.

Often, a seemingly minor detail mentioned early in a short story becomes very important later. Which of the following details later becomes important to Tom’s efforts to get back into his apartment? 

• The window is hard to open.

• It is hot in the apartment.

• Clare is slender and pretty.

• Tom puts on his jacket.

Which of the following is an example of internal conflict in “contents of the Dead Man’s  Pocket”?  

• Tom’s efforts to open the window.

• Tom’s struggle to stay on the ledge.

• Tom’s attempts to get someone’s attention.

• Tom’s struggle to overcome his fear.

What does Tom decide the contents of his pockets would say about him if he were to  fall and die?

• His life had been wasted.

• He did not love his wife.

• He should have gotten a promotion.

• He was a selfish and foolish man.

In “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket,” Tom has an important realization during his  terrible experience on the ledge. What is this realization?  

• He will never get ahead at work.

• He hasn’t put enough effort into his work.

• He wants to spend more time with his wife.

• He is going to fall off the ledge and die.

What is “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket” mostly about?  

• A man and the contents of the pockets

• A man who does not think about his actions

• A man and woman who go to the movies

• A man whose desire for a promotion at work nearly kills him

Which of the following is an example of internal conflict in “Contents of the Dead Man’s  Pocket”?  

• Tom’s efforts to get a promotion at work

• Tom’s struggle to stay on the ledge

• Tom’s attempts to get someone’s attention

• Tom’s struggle to overcome his fear