Setting

It is important to know when the story’s action occurs. The author Maraniss sometimes introduces multiple storylines simultaneously, and it can be difficult to know when the action takes place.

For example, in the first paragraphs of Chapter 2 (pp. 2-3), Maraniss begins the story in 2006 with Perry Wallace as a professor, then jumps back almost forty years to when he was a senior in college, then jumps forward a few years to when Wallace was in graduate school, jumps back to the 1960s to his earlier years in college, then jumps back more to before Wallace was even born, and then further back to when his parents were children. From that point, Maraniss describes Wallace’s childhood in a relatively straightforward, chronological manner.

Creating a timeline of important events might help you to better comprehend the text.

Naming

Maraniss addresses characters in a variety of ways.

Sometimes, he uses their nickname, usually indicated by quotation marks (but not always). See the example from pp. 43-44:

Here’s Ted McClain, known as “Hound” […] Here’s Tyrone Fizer, T-Y, […] Here’s “Doug,” James Douglas, […] Walker “Slim” Fisher […]

Other times, Maraniss might address the same character by a last name or by a first name within only a few sentences. See how Maraniss addresses Perry Wallace as both Perry and Wallace in adjacent sentences on p. 45:

“Make the right choice,” he implored Perry, “make the right choice.”

Initially, Wallace was certain that the right choice would mean leaving the stifling segregation of the South.

Wallace is also called “Big Junior,” “Duck” and “Ape Baby” by characters in his life (but not by the author).

In addition, Maraniss identifies schools by using names other than their complete, official title. For example, Vanderbilt University can be referred to as Vanderbilt, Vandy, The Commodores, The Dores, VU, Black and Gold, or Nashville, to name a few. Each of these names is understood to mean Vanderbilt University.

In the text, Maraniss calls Pearl High School by its mascot’s name, the Tigers. He writes about Mississippi State University as Mississippi, MSU, and Starkville (the city where the campus is located). As you read, ask yourself, what exactly is the author talking about — the state or the school? The city or the school? The animal or the school?