THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY CHAPTER QUESTIONS CHAPTER 1

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY CHAPTER QUESTIONS

CHAPTER 1 1) Describe, in as much detail as you can, the character of Tom Ripley. n Use the following ideas to help get you started: n n Appearance Personality Behaviour/Actions Thoughts

2) Who is Herbert Greenleaf? What proposal does he have for Tom? n n 3) What motivates Tom to accept the proposal?

n 4) Compare the characters of Tom Ripley and Dickie Greenleaf. Despite the limited information we have heard about Dickie, what similarities do you see? What differences do you see?

1) Make a list of the details that indicate the wealth of Mr. Greenleaf.

CHAPTER 2 n n 1) What evidence do we see that indicates Tom is ashamed of his current life? 2) What kind of life does Tom want for himself? What actions does he take in order to achieve this new lifestyle?

n n 3) What illegal scheme had Tom developed in order to make money? What does this tell you about his character? 4) How does he try to justify his illegal actions?

CHAPTER 3 n 1) Describe Mrs. Greenleaf using the same criteria as in Question #1, Chapter 1. n 2) On the fourth last line of pg. 25, Highsmith writes, “That was true. ” Why do you think this statement is made? What does it tell us about Tom Ripley’s character?

n 3) On pg. 25, Tom finds himself alone. He has an uncomfortable feeling. Explain why he feels this way? n 4) “It’s like a movie, Tom thought. ” Explain the meaning of this line (Pg. 26).

CHAPTER 4 § 1) The passage about the boat and Tom’s seasickness can be seen as an analogy for his life. (Pg. 29) Explain. § 2) Pg. 30 Depicts Tom as a very selfish character who does not appreciate what others do for him. Cite an example of this.

§ 3) Explain Tom’s feelings towards the wristwatch. What do we learn about Tom from this passage? § 4) What is ironic about Tom purchasing the heavy linen sport shirt with wooden buttons?

CHAPTER 5 • 1) How does Tom react to the bon voyage party that Bob Delancey throws for him? What insight does this give us about Tom? (34 -35) • 2) What does the following line tell us about Tom’s current thoughts? “So what if they all hated him after this, he thought, what had he lost? ” (35)

3) What significance is attached to the fact that Tom ran away from his friends and stepped over the CABIN CLASS ONLY sign? • 4) Why does Tom break down and cry at the end of the chapter?

CHAPTER 6 1) The first two paragraphs bring forth ideas relating to disguises and concealing one’s identity. Explain how this relates to Tom? 2) “He was starting a new life. ” This sentence is arguable one of the most important in the novel. Explain the meaning of this line.

What evidence do we see of Tom’s criminal thoughts? (Pg. 42) What do we learn about Tom’s imagination? How does this connect to what we have seen of him in the past?

5) Why did Tom add the line, “P. S. I have no idea what my address will be, so I cannot give you any” in his letter to Aunt Dottie? What does this tell us about Tom? 6) Why did Tom resent his Aunt Dottie so much? (Pg. 39 -42)

CHAPTER 7 1) Give as many examples as you can that depict the scenery. What famous sites are mentioned in order to help the reader visualize Tom’s surroundings? 2) Write a character description for Dickie Greenleaf, and one for Marge Sherwood. Make sure that you include their initial reactions toward meeting Tom.

3) Give several examples of Dickie’s wealth despite his lack of a well paying job. 4) How does the last line of the chapter summarize the entire first meeting between Tom and Dickie?

CHAPTER 8 u u u 1) How does Tom’s illness at the start of this chapter symbolize the success of his trip up until this point? 2) Describe Dickie’s typical day while living in Italy. How does Tom feel about this? 3) Why is it so important to Tom that Dickie likes him?

CHAPTER 9 ► 1) How was Tom finally able to make a connection with Dickie? ► 2) Why does Tom quickly change the subject after seeing Dickie’s paintings?

► 3) Describe Tom’s attitude towards Marge in this entire chapter. Why does he behave in this fashion? Cite examples to prove your comments.

► 4) How does Tom compare himself to Dickie in this chapter? Compare this information with the end of chapters 8 and 9; what conclusions can you draw from Tom’s thoughts?

► 5) The theme of jealousy emerges at the end of chapters 8 & 9. Identify: the individual who is jealous, who they are jealous of, and why they have these feelings.

CHAPTER 10 l 1) Explain Tom and Dickie’s relationship at the beginning of Chapter 10. How has this developed? Where do you see this partnership heading? Who seems to have more interest in keeping their friendship?

l 2) What impression does Tom give Mr. Greenleaf in the letters that he writes to America? Is it truthful?

l 3) Describe Marge and Dickie’s feelings towards each other in this chapter. Be specific with your answers. Give examples.

l 4) “Are you crazy? ” Why does Dickie say this to Tom? Describe, in detail, the situation leading up to this moment.

l 5) What examples from the novel would support Marge’s accusation that Tom was a homosexual? Be specific in your answer.

CHAPTER 11 n 1) “What’s the matter with you? ” Dickie says this to Tom three times at the beginning of Chapter 11. Why does Dickie say this? Explain the current situation and how it reflects the friendship between them.

n n 2) Discuss the use of alcohol in this novel and this chapter to bring Tom back to “reality” 3) On Pg. 91, Highsmith writes, “He was alone. ” Explain why Tom finds himself in this predicament and why he feels this way.

n 4) Explain the significance of the refrigerator. Why does Tom detest this purchase?

CHAPTER 12 l 1) In the first few paragraphs of this chapter, How does Dickie go about eliminating Tom from future plans? l 2) Describe Tom’s thoughts on the train ride from Cannes to San Remo. What plan does he come up with?

l 3) Using as many details as you can, describe the struggle on the boat.

l 4) What problems does Tom face now that he has “parted ways” with Dickie? What questions will he be forced to answer?

CHAPTER 13 n 1) Describe Tom’s emotions in this chapter. What doe this tell us about the type of person he is? n 2) Give us as many details as you can about Tom’s future plans. What are his goals? How will he explain Dickie’s absence? Etc.

n n 3) How does Marge feel about the current situation and the sudden change of plans? 4)What is ironic about Tom’s first night alone in Rome? What does he spend the entire night doing? (Pg. 116)

CHAPTER 14 u u u 1) What preparations does Tom make in order to avoid being caught for his crimes? Describe the transformation that we see in Tom within the first few pages of the chapter. 2) How does the use of letters in this chapter add to our understanding of the novel and certain characters? 3) What examples are given that illustrate Tom’s obsession with Dickie Greenleaf?

u u u 4) What evidence do we see of Tom being materialistic? 5) What significance does the following line have: “The milk was almost tasteless, pure and chastening, as Tom imagined a wafer tasted in Church. ” (Pg. 124) 6)Why does Tom want to open a bank account in Rome? What does this tell us about his confidence level?

CHAPTER 15 • 1) “Now, from the moment he got out of bed and went to brush his teeth, he was Dickie…”. Give several examples of ways that Tom has perfected his impersonation of Dickie. Use specific examples.

• 2) Why did Tom give his name (Dickie Greenleaf) to an Italian painter when he had gone out of his way to keep his name a secret from other members of the community? • 3) “He was himself and yet not himself. He felt blameless and free, despite the fact that he consciously controlled every move he made. ” Explain this segment of the novel. What is going on in Tom’s head?

• 4) What actions did Tom take with Freddie Miles? Why did Tom feel that this was the only option?

• 5) Analyze the following line and identify what it tells us about Tom’s sense of reality: “ But the point of the messy house was that the messiness substantiated merely for his own benefit the story that he was going to tell, and that therefore he had to believe himself. ”

CHAPTER 16 o 1) How did Tom prepare himself to move Freddie from his apartment to the car? What was his plan? How successfully was it carried out? o 2) As Tom attempted to find a resting place for Freddie, describe and explain the alternating thoughts that he had.

o 3) At the end of the chapter, Tom’s mind drifts back as to how Freddie could have found his apartment. Describe Tom’s uncomfortable feelings about someone following him. How is this ironic? o 4) Do you believe that Tom is enjoying his time as Dickie Greenleaf? In your opinion, has he found the liberty and freedom that he hoped to experience by starting over with a “clean slate”? Explain why you agree or disagree.

CHAPTER 17 n n n 1) What evidence is there of Tom being paranoid in this chapter? 2) At the bottom of Pg. 146, Highsmith writes about Tom “pretending”. Explain how the last few lines of the second paragraph indicate potential problems for Tom. 3) Highsmith writes on Pg. 147, “It was the absolute truth. ” What does this line reveal about Tom?

n n 4) Search the first few pages of this chapter for any reference to time. Why do you think that timing is suddenly so important to Tom? 5) Near the end of the chapter, Tom begins to mix reality and imagination. Give an example of this. (pg. 157)

CHAPTER 18 § 1) Describe Tom’s state of mind within the first paragraph of this chapter. What does this tell us about Tom’s character? § 2) How does Tom’s situation become increasingly difficult on Pg. 160? § 3) “The very mildness of the look offended Tom. It was dishonest, he felt. ” Pg. 161 Explain the significance of this line.

§ 4) Describe the inspector’s attitude towards Tom and the case. § 5) Highsmith writes on Pg. 165: “That wasn’t important. ” How does this line represent Tom’s lackadaisical approach to his dilemma at times?

CHAPTER 19 n 1) Describe Tom’s behaviour once he reached his hotel in Palermo. Does he feel more confident about his situation or more depressed? Support your answer with details. n 2) What mistake does Tom realize that he had made on Pg. 170? How might this affect him?

n 3) Describe the varying thoughts Tom has about traveling through Greece as Dickie Greenleaf and as Tom Ripley. This paragraph could foreshadow Tom’s actions, explain. n 4) Comparing “Dickie’s” description of his relationship to Tom Ripley, what conclusions will the police be able to draw? n 5) Why is Tom so upset that things aren’t going well in his correspondence (as Dickie) with Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf?

CHAPTER 20 n 1) Describe the sharp contrast between Tom’s thoughts early on and throughout the remainder of the chapter in regards to finances. What does this tell us about Tom’s character?

CHAPTER 21 • 1) Why was Tom so afraid when he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror? • 2) What word does Highsmith emphasize to explain Tom’s emotions towards reverting back to his original self? Why does she choose this word?

3) What had Tom learned over the past few months traveling through Europe? How does this coincide with the nature of his character? 4) Tom is finding some benefits in becoming Tom Ripley again. List several of them and explain why he is relieved of the guilt for Freddie Miles’ murder. What does this tell us about Tom’s mental state?

CHAPTER 22 § 1) What alterations did Tom make in his appearance while reverting back to Tom Ripley? Feel free to use examples from the previous chapter as well. § 2) Describe Ripley’s demeanor and behaviour with the inspector in this chapter.

CHAPTER 23 ► 1) In his letter to Mr. Greenleaf, how does Tom try and mislead Herbert? What does he hope to accomplish through this? ► 2) Out of all the articles written about Tom, why did he choose to cut one in particular?

► 3) Describe Tom’s living arrangements in Venice; compare these to how he was living in New York. Does his apartment seem reminiscent of Dickie’s house in Mongibello? Explain. ► 4) What new piece of information (reported in the daily newspapers) on the Greenleaf case had Tom shaken for several minutes after reading it? Why was he so disturbed by this news?

► 5) “It was like waiting interminably for a show to begin, for a curtain to rise. ” This particular thought reveals a lot about Tom. Explain the significance of this line in as much detail as possible. ► 6) “Well, not with Tom. ” Explain what this line reveals about Tom’s conscience.

CHAPTER 24 1) Describe Tom’s reactions to proposals made by the group gathered at Peter Smith. Kingsley’s house while discussing Dickie’s whereabouts.

CHAPTER 25 1) What new person is being introduced into this equation courtesy of Mr. Herbert Greenleaf? 2) What is interesting about the line: “His agony in trying to express himself was genuine. ”? 3) Describe the conversation between Tom and Herbert Greenleaf.

CHAPTER 26 1) Cite examples of Tom’s thoughts that could be seen as over -confident. l 2) Describe Tom’s thoughts about the other individuals at the cocktail party. What ideas does Tom have about social class? l

l 3) What are Tom’s thoughts in regards to possessions? l 4) What new piece of evidence does Marge find that makes her alter her thoughts as to what happened to Dickie? l 5) What criminal thoughts cross Tom’s mind in this chapter? How does this situation relate to past events?

CHAPTER 27 n n n 1) What was Tom worried about before, and upon, meeting the private investigator, Mr. Mc. Carron? 2) Describe the discussion between Marge, Herbert, Tom, and Mr. Mc. Carron. 3) While speaking alone with the inspector, how does Tom portray Dickie’s character?

CHAPTER 28 1) How is Marge proving to be beneficial to Tom Ripley and the story he wants everyone to believe? 2) Patricia Highsmith has made several comments through her characters that imply her pro. American attitude towards world affairs. State one incident in this chapter that would solidify this belief and detract from the intelligence and openmindedness of the United States’ cold war enemy.

3) What thought crosses Tom’s mind about Peter Smith-Kingsley? What information can be drawn from analyzing Tom’s thoughts?

CHAPTER 29 § 1) Why does Tom send a letter to Mr. Greenleaf about the will, despite the apparent dangers what are involved with this action? § 2) Describe Tom’s attitude towards the character of Tom Ripley? What does he think of himself? § 3) What surprise does Tom receive just before sailing to Greece? How does this affect him?

CHAPTER 30 n n 1) Explain how the description of the ship can be seen as a metaphor for the police’s case against Tom Ripley. 2) Does Tom Ripley feel like life has treated him fairly? Explain. 3) Describe Ripley’s emotions as he sees the four policemen waiting for him on the deck of Athens. 4) What message did Tom receive from Mr. Greenleaf’s letter regarding the will?