Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

1a. At what points in the story did you agreed with Tom’s choices?

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

1a. At what points in the story did you agreed with Tom’s choices?

How about Tom’s choice to break the window?

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

1a. At what points in the story did you agreed with Tom’s choices?

How about Tom’s choice to break the window?

1b. When did you disagree with his choices?

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

1a. At what points in the story did you agreed with Tom’s choices?

How about Tom’s choice to break the window?

1b. When did you disagree with his choices?

Maybe his choice to go out the window in the first place.

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

2a. Why does Tom go out on the ledge?

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

2a. Why does Tom go out on the ledge?

Tom goes out on the ledge to retrieve the yellow sheet containing the statistics he had gathered.

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

2a. Why does Tom go out on the ledge?

Tom goes out on the ledge to retrieve the yellow sheet containing the statistics he had gathered.

2b. What does this reveal about his character?

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

2a. Why does Tom go out on the ledge?

Tom goes out on the ledge to retrieve the yellow sheet containing the statistics he had gathered.

2b. What does this reveal about his character?

This shows that Tom cares deeply about his work, to the extent that he would risk his own safety.

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

3a. How does Tom feel when he looks between his legs down onto Lexington Avenue?

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

3a. How does Tom feel when he looks between his legs down onto Lexington Avenue?

Tom feels terrified when he looks down at the street.

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

3a. How does Tom feel when he looks between his legs down onto Lexington Avenue?

Tom feels terrified when he looks down at the street.

3b. How do Tom’s feelings affect his ability to get off the ledge?

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

3a. How does Tom feel when he looks between his legs down onto Lexington Avenue?

Tom feels terrified when he looks down at the street.

3b. How do Tom’s feelings affect his ability to get off the ledge?

He becomes paralyzed and is convinced that he will faint.

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

4a. Contrast Tom’s attitude toward life in the beginning of the story with his attitude at the end.

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

4a. Contrast Tom’s attitude toward life in the beginning of the story with his attitude at the end.

At the beginning of the story, he is interested only in his woek; to realize that his relationship with his wife is more important that his work.

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

4a. Contrast Tom’s attitude toward life in the beginning of the story with his attitude at the end.

At the beginning of the story, he is interested only in his woek; to realize that his relationship with his wife is more important that his work.

4b. What causes his attitude to change?

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

4a. Contrast Tom’s attitude toward life in the beginning of the story with his attitude at the end.

At the beginning of the story, he is interested only in his woek; to realize that his relationship with his wife is more important that his work.

4b. What causes his attitude to change?

His close encounter with death makes him realize what is important to him.

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

4b. What causes his attitude to change?

His close encounter with death makes him realize what is important to him.

4c. What changes, if any, will Tom make in his life as a result of this experience?

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

4b. What causes his attitude to change?

His close encounter with death makes him realize what is important to him.

4c. What changes, if any, will Tom make in his life as a result of this experience?

He will probably spend less time on work and more time enjoying life with his wife.

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

5. What lesson can you learn from Tom’s experiences?

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

5. What lesson can you learn from Tom’s experiences?

To appreciate each moment in life, and spend time doing things that are truly meaningful.

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

6. Stories are often adapted into movies. Do you think that a movie based on Finney’s story would be as effective as the story itself? Why or why not?

Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets by Jack Finney Review & Assess, p. 20

6. Stories are often adapted into movies. Do you think that a movie based on Finney’s story would be as effective as the story itself? Why or why not?

Finney’s story might not make a good movie because it would be difficult to convey the suspense on a screen, since a lot of the tense “action” takes place in Tom’s mind. In addition, the story contains only one main character and almost no dialogue.