Questions for Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler
Briefly summarize the story. Then answer the following questions. Your book report should be approximately 10 type-written pages. Support your answers with quotations from the book. Make sure you list the page number.
What is the main theme of the book from a sociological perspective? Specify the sociological perspective, i.e., symbolic interactionism, structural functionalism, feminism, conflict theory, exchange theory.
What is the significant of the title Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant?
In class we talked about three prominent images of the family: family as a haven, family as fulfillment, and family as an encumbrance. For each of Pearl’s children, which image is operating?
The myth of family consensus seems to be shattered by what we learn about the Tull family. Give three examples from the book to support that family consensus is indeed a myth.
The myth of family differentiation dispels the assumption that all family members have common needs, common interests and common experiences. Give three examples from the book to dispel this assumption.
Information processing rules and mystification exist in all families. Give three examples from the book.
In class we discussed that all families have a “front-stage” and a “back-stage.” Give at least two examples when Pearl Tull’s behavior is front-stage and back-stage.
In our class readings and discussion we discussed class. What class would you place the Tull family? Why? Give examples to support your answer.
How do these characters differ from “mainstream” America? Use Mary Patillo’s (in the Cherlin reader) definition of “mainstream” as a normative judgment.
Adapted from an idea from Anne Smith Hastings and Bahira Sherif, Instructor’s Manual to Accompany Cherlin’s Public and Private Families
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