DARE by Marilyn Halvorson NAME:
Dare by Marilyn Halvorson Author Information - Marilyn Halvorson was born on January 17, 1948, in Olds, Alberta. - She was the daughter of Trygve McConnell, a rancher, and of Irene, a teacher. - She was an only child and in high school, she sold stories to various magazines and to radio stations. - She attended the University of Calgary and earned a Bachelor of Education degree from that institution. - She was later employed as a teacher at Sundre School (at the same junior high she attended) from 1968 until 1971 and from 1974 until 1985. Since then, she has taken up ranching as her vocation. - Marilyn Halvorson won the the Alberta Culture Writing for Youth Competition in 1982 for her novel Cowboys Don t Cry. - She has written the following novels for young adults: Cowboys Don t Cry (1984), Let it Go (1985), Nobody Said It Would be Easy (1986), and Dare (1988), Bull Rider (1989), and Brothers and Strangers (1991). - The author enjoys riding, rodeos, wilderness conservation, reading, cross-country skiing, and photography. Background Information A Ranch in Southern Alberta The setting for this novel is a ranch near Calgary in the 1980s. Traditional stories involving a ranch deal with brutish cowboys performing duties quite devoid of the reality of the reality of today, or of any other time, for that matter. The ranch in the story is a bit unusual in that it is owned and operated by a young woman who also works as a substitute teacher. She does all of the regular work herself, including tending horses and cattle, mending fences, looking after the garden, maintaining buildings, and so on. While the characters and situations are fictional, they are well within the scope of reality. The author deals with ranch life from experiences, describing the hard work needed on rather ordinary tasks, and still ride horses, but they are no strangers to a four-wheel-drive when the task dictates it.
The Novel The novel involves a simple story that is told in a manner. Several issues of interest to teenagers are dealt with in the story: - feelings of being by society - need for - against the adult world - finding one s place in a society - importance of ties - taking for oneself - peer - apparent of school - working through problems that have arisen. Dare perceives himself as a, strong,, teenager (nearly sixteen) who would like to be on his own living on the street. He realizes, however, that his younger brother could not cope with a life of that kind, therefore, he grudgingly submits to imposed by society so that he and his siblings can be together. A recurring thread in the story is a in Dare s background, the details of which are at first hinted at, then gradually as the story progresses. The tragedy explains much of Dare s behavior, and when the problems rooted in the past are resolved, the reader is left with the impression that the young will face life with a attitude. The author makes effective use of the person. The story is supposedly told by, and gives his perspective on the details as they develop.
Questions for Chapters 1, 2, & 3 1. What is the name of the cafe where Dare hangs out? 2. Describe the attitude of the cop who picks up Dare and Ty. 3. Why did Dare and Ty have to go in the police cruiser? 4. Why was Corporal Steiger angry at Dare over the Kagan s Butte incident? pg.12 5. Why do you think Dare had an attitude towards the nurse at the hospital? 6. Doctor Musiak seems kindly but he quickly sets Ty aside. Why? Is he right to deal only with Dare? Explain. (pg. 15) 7. Why did Dare lie and tell the Doctor that they have an Aunt Ruth?
8. Quote the EXACT phrase that describes how Dare was feeling. 9. If Ty is so bright, why does he have trouble understanding Dare s story about Aunt Ruth? Why does Dare create the lie? (pg. 18-19) 10. Why would Gran have been a lot closer to Ty than Dare? Explain both Ty s and Dare s relationship with their Grandmother. 11. Author Marilyn Halvorson plants a subtle clue when she writes of Dare, I jerked my mind away from the past. (pg. 21) What can you infer (educated guess) about Dare s past? 12. What is Dare s real name? On page 8, Dare indicated that there were two reasons for his nickname. What would they be? 13. Why does Ty have bad feelings about forging his Grandmother s name? Why does he finally do it? 14. What have we learned about Crossing, Alberta so far? QUOTE at least three points from the chapters.
DARE JOURNAL ENTRY CHAPTER 1-3 ACTIVITIES: Choose ONE only. Use a minimum of seven sentences. 1. Write about a time you went out of your way to push back at someone you regarded as an authority. OR 2. Write about a time you were pressured into doing something and felt badly about it later. OR 3. Which character reminds you of someone you know? Why? Describe the similarities between the character and the real person in a paragraph. OR 4. Agree or disagree with Ty s comment to Dare that he can t beat the system. Make sure you clarify WHAT system, and back up your opinion.
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CHAPTER 4-6 QUESTIONS Answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Use a separate piece of paper if there is not enough room. CHAPTER 4 1. Describe the relationship between Ty and Dare. 2. What do we learn about Dare and Ty s father -- at least 2 points! Use a direct quote from the chapter for one (1) of your responses. a) b) 3. Explain briefly how Dare feels about Laura as a teacher. Find at least one (1) direct quote from the reading to support your thoughts. 4. Seven foster homes in a year ---they were not all bad. Why does Dare have to run away from the good ones? (p. 29) 5. What does the writing of the test essay reveal about Dare s personality? (pg.32)
CHAPTER 5 1. What fault does Keith reveal when he talks with Dare and Ty? (pg. 34) 2. In what way(s) is Keith s personal situation worse than Dare s? 3. Why does Dare owe Keith twenty-five dollars? What could you predict could happen as a result of this debt? 4. Mrs. Batten sounds like an insensitive adult, demanding both early-dismissal and late slips. Offer one fact in her defence. CHAPTER 6 1. Why does Dare actually appreciate Laura going to the hospital desk with them? 2. Dare thinks Gran wants to talk to Ty first because she loves him more. Suggest another reason that she might talk to Ty first.
3. Dare thinks. Me, like Mom? Not even close. Ty was the one like Mom. (p. 42) Explain the mistake Dare is making. 4. Gran says something puzzling -- I don t blame you any more, Dare. And your mother doesn t either. It s time to stop blaming yourself. (p. 42) The comments are foreshadowing. What is foreshadowing? 5. If Dare had listened a little longer to the conversation between Laura and Mr. Nicolson, what else MIGHT he have heard about Laura s view of him? 6. What changes Dare s mind about staying with Laura?
JOURNAL ENTRY CHAPTER 4-6 (p. 27-47) ACTIVITIES: Choose ONE only, and respond by writing at least seven sentences, in an organized paragraph. Respond in the space provided. 1. Dare tells a number of lies. Think of a significant lie you have told, and write a cause / effect paragraph which examines the lie and the reasons for telling it. OR 2. As Mr. Nicolson, write your report on the interview with Dare. OR 3. Dare takes extreme positions on issues, and then sometimes he has to change his mind. Think of a time when you have had to change your position on an issue. Write a cause/effect paragraph explaining your original position, and the reason you changed your view. OR 4. Sometimes friends are selected for convenience or for advantages rather than because the person is likable. Is this true? Comment, using personal experience. OR 5. Agree or disagree with the statement: Some things in life simply ARE that way, and we may have to do some things that we would prefer not to do. Make sure that you back up your opinion.
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CHAPTER 7-9 QUESTIONS Answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES. CHAPTER 7 1. When Dare says that the street s no place for a little kid, (pg. 49) he is doing the same thing Dr. Musiak did. What mistake is Dare making (duplicating)? _ 2. List TWO ways Laura shows consideration. _ 3. What mistakes are made in the incident with Miss Phillips, and who makes the mistakes? _ 4. Explain what is ironic about Ty getting into a fight. 5. How does Ty get Dare s respect?
CHAPTER 8 6. How does Laura try to handle Dare? _ 7. How is Laura s approach different with Ty? 8. Quote Dare s approach to life (p. 60). Why does this scare Ty? _ 9. What does Dare admire about Laura? _ 10. What is Dare s reason for NOT taking Ty with him as he tries to run away? _ 11. Was it wise or unwise in Laura s handling of Dare and the truck theft? Explain. _
12. What makes Dare promise to take Ty with him if he runs again. _ CHAPTER 9 13. Explain what strength Laura has in her approach to Dare and the clean up tasks? 14. Although Dare doesn t know much about horses, he pretends to. Why? _ 15. What do readers learn about Laura through her response to Smoke? (pg. 70) Predict why this type of attitude will be important later.
JOURNAL ENTRY CHAPTER 7-9 - 6 (p. 48-72) ACTIVITIES: Choose ONE only, and respond by writing at least seven sentences, in an organized paragraph. Respond in the space provided. 1. Dare was surprised to see Miss Phillips crying. It is often a surprise to discover that our behaviour does affect others. Write an anecdote about a time when you were surprised to realize that your behaviour had affected another person OR 2. Dare thinks he has street smarts. He lacks country smarts. Write a letter to Dare telling him what he needs to know about ranch life. OR 3. When Dare pretends to know what ground tie means, he has to walk home. Think about a time when you pretended to know more than you did and think of the consequence you faced. Write about it in a humorous way...laugh at yourself... OR 4. If you are an artist type, find a quote that has a strong connection to the story from these chapters. Draw a cartoon, or a picture that illustrates the quote you picked.
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CHAPTER 10-12 QUESTIONS Answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Write your responses in the space provided. CHAPTER 10 1. What strengths or assets do Dare and Ty reveal at the time of Gran s funeral? 2. Why doesn t Ty tell Laura what Dare is up to? 3. Dare makes an interesting comment about parents and the Pits. (p.78) How does he classify parents? CHAPTER 11 1. What does Dare remember about the incident at Kagan s Butte? Explain.
2. What went wrong with Dare s plan to sneak out of the house? 3. Dare has had a pretty good evening all round. Sum up his success. CHAPTER 12 1. Is Laura s response to Dare s partying a good response? Explain. 2. What is involved with fencing -- summarize what Laura tells Dare. Use point form. _ 3. Why are the gloves so important?
4. Dare says that Ty is changing. In what ways is Ty becoming different? 5. Does Dare gain respect from you in this chapter? Explain why or why not.
Journal Entry: CHAPTER 10-12 (p. 73-92) ACTIVITIES: Choose ONE of the following activities. Answer ONE of the activities. 1. As Ann Landers, or another advice columnist (make up a fake name if you wish), give advice to a parent who has written to you asking about what to do about a teenager who sneaks out of the house to go to a party. Write as a professional in your response. OR 2. Dare rode to the top of the rim. Those who were present knew that he did something exceptional. However, Canadians are often too quiet about the things that they do well. Write a newspaper article about your most significant achievement, but write it as an objective newspaper reporter. News item writers usually consider the five W s: Who, What, When, Where and sometimes Why. Supply enough detail to answer 4 of 5 of the W questions. OR 3. Ty has been covering for his brother for as long as he can remember. Write a diary entry Ty might have written the night that Dare sneaked out to Kagan s Butte. Ty would be thinking about what Dare had done, or is doing, and their relationships as brothers. He might also be thinking about Laura and Gran.
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Dare Questions Chapter 13, 14, 15 Chapter 13 1) What makes Dare change his mind about leaving the job and the ranch? 2) How does Dare do the job assigned to him differently than what Laura ordered? 3) Why is Dare particularly proud that he has finished the fencing job that Laura gave him? _ 4) How does Dare feel about Laura getting the truck stuck in the mud? _ 5) What prompts Laura to say that Dare would make a lousy poker player? Provide proof from the chapter to help response.
6) Why does Dare suspect Laura is not as angry with him as she claims to be? _ Chapter 14 1) During the next few days, what is the good side of Dare s sore hands? 2) Where does Dare get the money for the ticket to the AC/DC concert? Predict what will happen. 3) Why does Dare enjoy the concert so much? What does the music do for him? 4) What do the boys decide to do after the bike breaks down?
Chapter 15 1) How does Keith react to Dare s comment that he has to get home or Laura will punish him? 2) How do the guns on the rack contrast with the van as a whole? 3) Describe Shooter and Ronnie. Consider both physical and psychological characteristics. _ 4) Why does Dare want to get out of the van, even though it is late, it is dark, it is raining, and he has no money? Why does he become quiet?
Journal Entry Chapter 13-15 Activity Choose ONE of the following activities and write a ten sentence response to the following: 1) Have you ever been involved in a situation that you knew was wrong and you desperately wanted to get out of. What were your feelings about the situation, and how did you manage to get yourself out of it? Have you gotten yourself in a similar situation since? OR 2) Dare is a very stubborn individual and he proves this when he refuses to go back to the house for the gloves. Do you consider yourself to be a stubborn individual? Describe an incident when you were being stubborn. Who was involved and why did you act and react the way that you did? OR 3) As Dare, write a Memo to Myself about the things you would do differently to avoid the problems you faced from the time you decided to attend the concert to the time the van crashed.
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CHAPTER 16-19 QUESTIONS Answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Write your responses in the space provided. CHAPTERS 16-17 Fill in the Blank 1. After the slide, the van is located. 2. The uninjured van rider is. 3. Dare tells the police that he is. 4. In jail, the first time Dare is saved from by. 5. The second time Dare is saved in jail, it is by. 6. How much is Dare to blame for his own problems in chapter 16 and 17? Explain. 7. Why does Dare add three years to his age when he gives it to the corporal?
8. What was ironic about Dare hiding his identity, and the way he is finally rescued from jail? 9. Why do you think Dare finally gave in, and in fact, was not able to stop himself from saying who he really was? CHAPTER 18-19 QUESTIONS Answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES. 11. Why does Dare think Laura should just belt me one? ( p. 132) 12. What does Dare do that surprises him after Laura hugs him?
13. Why would Laura lie for Dare? (She tells Matthews that Dare had her permission to go to Calgary...) 14. Describe Smoke, look at his personality. (page 140) 15. How does Laura s comment about Smoke s character apply to Dare?
Journal Entry CHAPTER 16-19 (p. 116-141) ACTIVITIES: Choose ONE. ANSWER RIGHT IN YOUR BOOKLET IN THE SPACE PROVIDED and indicate the activity you are doing. 1. Write out the statement that Dare would have given to the police. Keep it in language that a teen would use (remembering that this is an assignment!) and start from the point where the bike breaks down. OR 2. Laura states that Dare is old enough to be responsible; Dare then acts in a responsible way by saying that he stole money which he will replace. Here, someone s expectations had a good effect on a second person. From your experience or observations, describe a situation in which someone had a positive effect on someone else by expecting the best. OR 3. Describe someone who has served as a positive role model for you. OR 4. Laura compares Dare to Smoke. Write a poem which uses a comparison of a person to an animal.
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CHAPTER 20-22 QUESTIONS Answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Write your responses in the space provided. CHAPTER 20 1. I hated it even more because I owed Laura. (pg. 140) What does Dare mean? 2. How does laura get Dare to help with the work of branding? (Think of the tactic she is using) 3. Why is Dare surprised when Laura decides to ride Smoke? 4. What makes Dare run away from the job of branding the calves? What does it remind him of? (pg. 149) 5. Laura says that Dare does not owe her anything, but he owes something to himself. What does Dare owe to himself? (pg. 151)
6. All the flashbacks and dreams that Dare experiences point to something. What is it? What emotions dominate these experiences that he is going through. Chapter 21 1. Why is Dare a bit reluctant to accept the knife? 2. What is the job that Laura assigns to Ty and Dare for the afternoon? Why does Dare decide to use the old bridge to cross the creek? 3. How does Dare get his horse to go on the bridge? 4. What finally happens to Chief and Dare? 5. What characteristics (psychological) does Dare show during the bridge incident?
Chapter 22 1. Why has Chief not run home, as he usually has done in the past? 2. Dare tries to cover up by saying to Ty, It s just a horse. What is he covering up? 3. Why does Dare offer to shoot the horse for Laura? 4. What reason does Laura give for not letting Dare shoot the horse? 5. Why does Laura find this accident harder to overlook than some of the other things that Dare has done?
Journal Entry CHAPTER 20-22 (p. 142-165) ACTIVITIES: Choose ONE. ANSWER RIGHT IN YOUR BOOKLET IN THE SPACE PROVIDED and indicate the activity you are doing. 1. As Dare, write a letter of apology to Laura about Chief. OR 2. Write a poem of at least 10 lines (does not have to rhyme) about this incident. OR 3. Comment in a paragraph about the problem of forgiving yourself -- How do people manage to do this, and why it is essential? How important is it for others to support someone during this time?
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CHAPTER 23-25 QUESTIONS Chapter 23 1. In what TWO ways does Dare show that he has become more thoughtful? 2. Why does Dare think that the fight with Laura has become unfair? (pg. 169-170) 3. What responsibility does Dare actually manage to carry out? Why is this particularly noteworthy for Dare? Chapter 24 1. Why do Ty and Laura take so long to get back?
2. Dare wants to say that he is sorry. Why doesn t he? 3. What TWO things does Laura say to Dare about tough kids? 4. When Ty tells Dare that he hates him, Dare thinks, You re not the only one... What is Dare thinking? (pg. 178) 5. What brings Ty and Dare back together? Chapter 25 1. We finally find out what has bothered Dare all these years. Summarize the situation that he has come from. 2. What is Ty concerned about as he sees Dare head for the barn?
3. How does Dare get Smoke to come through the fire? 4. What is the final incident in the barn that makes Dare overcome his sick feeling and the pain of his burn? 5. What words show that Dare has finally forgiven himself? 6. What aspect of Laura s reaction surprises Dare when he brings the horse out? 7. How has Dare s attitude toward Laura changed? Journal Entry 1. As Dare, write a diary entry to explain why you think, The two worst days of my life had been birthdays. (pg. 170) OR 2. As a psychologist, offer some advice on handling feelings of guilt. OR 3. Explain why Dare will now be able to tell Laura about his past.
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Definitions: Define the following words (the context needs to be the same as the novel) briskly: ragging: wearily: homicidal: grandstanding: shag: instantaneous: victory: outlaw: fluke:
churn: prime: confiscated: portable: sheepishly: fratricide: reassuring: compromise: trotted: halter: defiant:
glance: pasture: triumphant: duffel: barb: