By William Saroyan
Short Answer Questions
1. Summarize the incident when Aram first sees Mourad with the horse. Why does Aram find it hard to believe that Mourad owns the horse?
Answer: Aram sees Mourad riding a beautiful white horse at four in the morning. He is shocked because their poor Garoghlanian family cannot afford such a horse. Aram suspects Mourad stole it, as their tribe values honesty, making it unlikely Mourad bought it.
2. How can the Garoghlanian family’s value of honesty be applied to a situation where a friend borrows your belongings without permission? Provide an example.
Answer: The Garoghlanian family’s honesty can guide us to confront a friend who borrows our book without asking. For example, politely explain that borrowing without permission feels wrong, and encourage them to ask next time, maintaining trust and respect in the friendship.
3. Analyze John Byro’s reaction when he encounters Aram and Mourad with the horse. Why does he choose not to accuse them directly?
Answer: John Byro recognizes his horse but doesn’t accuse Aram and Mourad of stealing. He mentions the horse’s resemblance, hinting at suspicion. He avoids direct accusation due to trust in their family’s honest reputation and perhaps to give the boys a chance to correct their mistake.
4. Do you think Mourad’s act of “borrowing” the horse was justified? Support your opinion with reasons based on the story.
Answer: Mourad’s act of “borrowing” the horse wasn’t fully justified, as it wasn’t his property. However, his love for horses and intention to return it show his innocence. His actions reflect a child’s desire, not malice, but he should have sought permission first.
5. What can you infer about Mourad’s character from his interaction with the horse and his decision to return it?
Answer: Mourad is passionate and caring, as seen in his gentle handling of the horse. His decision to return it shows a strong sense of family honor and morality. Despite his impulsiveness, he respects his tribe’s values, indicating a good heart.
6. How does the setting of the story reflect the simplicity and innocence of Aram and Mourad’s world? Provide examples from the text.
Answer: The rural setting, with vineyards and orchards, reflects Aram and Mourad’s simple, innocent world. Their early morning horse rides and carefree attitude show a life untouched by modern complexities. The open fields symbolize their freedom and pure intentions, despite their mischief.
7. Imagine Aram writes a diary entry after riding the horse with Mourad. What would he write about his feelings and thoughts?
Answer: Dear Diary, Riding the horse with Mourad was thrilling! I felt free, like flying. But I’m scared it’s not ours. Our family’s honesty makes me guilty. Should we return it? I admire Mourad’s spirit but worry about right and wrong.
8. Explain the significance of the Garoghlanian tribe’s reputation for honesty in the context of the story’s moral dilemma.
Answer: The Garoghlanian tribe’s reputation for honesty creates the story’s moral dilemma. Aram and Mourad know stealing is against their family values, yet Mourad “borrows” the horse. This reputation pressures them to return it, resolving their guilt and upholding their tribe’s honor.
Long Answer Questions
1. Analyze the theme of morality in “The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse.” How do Aram and Mourad’s actions reflect their internal conflict between desire and their family’s values? Relate this to a modern ethical dilemma, such as cheating in academics or online plagiarism, and explain how the story’s lesson can guide students in making ethical choices. Support your answer with examples from the text and real-life scenarios.
Answer:
The theme of morality is central to “The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse.” Aram and Mourad face a conflict between their desire to ride the horse and their family’s value of honesty. Mourad “borrows” the horse without permission, knowing it’s wrong, while Aram feels both excitement and guilt. Their decision to return the horse to John Byro shows their moral growth, choosing family honor over personal desire. This reflects their internal struggle to balance temptation with ethics.
Similarly, in modern times, students face ethical dilemmas like cheating in exams or copying assignments online. For instance, copying answers from the internet is tempting but dishonest, much like Mourad’s act. The story teaches that owning up to mistakes, like the boys returning the horse, builds character. Students can apply this by resisting shortcuts and valuing integrity, ensuring their actions align with ethical standards in school and beyond.
2. Evaluate the role of trust in the relationship between Aram, Mourad, and John Byro. How does trust influence their decisions in the story? In today’s world, where trust is often tested in communities or international relations (e.g., agreements between nations), how can the story’s emphasis on trust inspire better interpersonal or global interactions? Justify your answer with examples from the story and current events.
Answer:
Trust is vital in “The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse.” John Byro trusts the Garoghlanian family’s reputation for honesty, so he doesn’t accuse Aram and Mourad of stealing his horse, even when he recognizes it. This trust influences the boys to return the horse, honoring Byro’s faith in them. Their mutual trust resolves the conflict peacefully, showing how trust fosters understanding and forgiveness.
In today’s world, trust is often tested, such as in international agreements like climate accords, where nations must rely on each other’s commitments. For example, when Michelangelo’s David countries agreeing to reduce emissions depend on trust, similar to Byro’s trust in the boys. The story inspires us to build trust in communities by being honest, like returning the horse, encouraging reliable interactions. By valuing trust, individuals and nations can create stronger, more cooperative relationships, promoting harmony in personal and global contexts.