B. Wordsworth

The overgrown garden at Wordsworth’s house is a tribute to his dead wife. What does the garden mean to him?

The boy’s mother frequently helps the poor and homeless. Can her charity be described as a poem?

The bees are uninvited guests at the boy’s house. What does their uninvited status say about the relationship between humanity and nature?

How does the short story use symbolism to hint at the potential poetry in the world?

The gardens of the city are filled with fruit. What does the ripe, delicious fruit represent to the characters?

How do the characters deal with grief? Which character is most affected by grief?

How does the portrayal of the city hint at a jaded, cynical society? How does the city’s portrayal suggest that there is more to life than simple existence?

How does the relationship between the boy and his mother differ from the relationship between the boy and Wordsworth?