illustration of a car crash, a grave, empty liquor bottles, a basketball, and a young man crying

Tears of a Tiger

by Sharon M. Draper

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Tears of a Tiger Questions and Answers

Tears of a Tiger

In Tears of a Tiger, Andy shows signs of extreme depression through his overwhelming guilt, withdrawal from friends and family, declining academic performance, and frequent thoughts of suicide. His...

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Tears of a Tiger

Andy's relationship with his parents in "Tears of a Tiger" is strained and distant. He feels misunderstood and unsupported by them, contributing to his sense of isolation and emotional turmoil...

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Tears of a Tiger

Themes in "Tears of a Tiger" include grief, guilt, and the struggle for redemption. The novel explores how the characters cope with the tragic death of their friend, Andy, and the emotional turmoil...

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Tears of a Tiger

In Tears of a Tiger, each character reacts differently to Robbie's death. Andy is consumed by guilt and haunted by dreams of Robbie. Tyrone feels initial guilt but gradually copes. B.J. turns to...

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Tears of a Tiger

Christmas was ruined for Andy because it reminded him of the tragic loss of his close friend Rob. Previously, Andy and Rob enjoyed holiday activities together, such as playfully teasing sales...

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Tears of a Tiger

During Andy's visit to the school counselor, he experienced a lack of support and understanding. The counselor dismissed his ambition to study pre-law, suggesting instead that he focus on his...

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Tears of a Tiger

The setting is primarily Hazelwood High School, spanning from November to May. The exact location and year are unspecified, although clues suggest the early 1990s. Snow indicates a colder climate....

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Tears of a Tiger

Robert Washington is a popular, ambitious high school basketball player who dreams of playing in the NBA. Known for his talent and drive, he is also a bit cocky but well-loved by friends and family....

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Tears of a Tiger

In Tears of a Tiger, Tyrone and BJ get more than enough hints stemming from Andy's behavior. In the February 4 entry, Andy snaps at BJ and Tyrone during lunch time. This is not the only thing he does...

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Tears of a Tiger

Andy is reminded of Rob at the mall during Christmas because they had shared traditions there, like trying on expensive clothes and joking with Santa. These memories become poignant after Rob's death...

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Tears of a Tiger

Keisha is walking with Andy on the freeway when he thinks about jumping in Tears of a Tiger. She screams at him and asks him if he's crazy, which jolts his mind out of his immediate thoughts of...

1 educator answer

Tears of a Tiger

Keisha assists her friends by emphasizing the importance of friendship and providing emotional support, especially to Andy, who was involved in a tragic accident. She encourages Andy to focus on his...

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Tears of a Tiger

Although Draper's style is mostly direct characterization, there are moments of direct characterization. In this example, the psychologist summarizes Andy's character.

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Tears of a Tiger

Andy doesn't turn in his poem in Tears of a Tiger because he does not care about it and does not feel like turning it in. This is despite the fact that he has in fact done the assignment and has the...

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Tears of a Tiger

In his letter to Rob's parents, Andy shares fond memories of Rob, such as going for ice cream and attending dances, instead of making excuses or apologizing again. He expresses his deep sorrow and...

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Tears of a Tiger

The newspaper article reports the tragic death of Robert Washington, captain of the Hazlewood High School basketball team, in a car accident on I-75. The car, driven by Andrew Jackson, who had been...

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Tears of a Tiger

Ms. Blackwell thinks that Macbeth's death was inevitable because he is "just about dead inside already." She points out that with just one little spark left, Macbeth is bound to die. While Macbeth's...

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Tears of a Tiger

In "Tears of a Tiger," the internal conflicts, such as Andy's guilt and depression, and external conflicts, including societal pressures and strained relationships, build tension leading to the...

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Tears of a Tiger

In Tears of a Tiger, the teachers say that Black students are "tough" because they experience things that white students don't.

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Tears of a Tiger

Andy wants a snow day to avoid facing the guilt and trauma of his friend Robbie's death, for which he feels responsible after a drunk driving accident. Despite receiving a light sentence, Andy...

1 educator answer

Tears of a Tiger

The author's message in Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper centers on the consequences of teenage drinking and driving, as well as coping with grief and guilt. Draper aims to highlight the...

3 educator answers

Tears of a Tiger

In Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper, the protagonist is Andy Jackson, a high school basketball star grappling with guilt and depression after a tragic car accident. The antagonist is not a person...

4 educator answers

Tears of a Tiger

Andy attributes the basketball team's first win after the accident to the presence of Rob's parents at the game. He explains to the coach that seeing them motivated the team to win as a tribute to...

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Tears of a Tiger

Gerald got the scar on his face from being thrown against a radiator by his abusive father. This incident highlights the theme of parental neglect and abuse in Draper's work, illustrating the...

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Tears of a Tiger

Robert Washington couldn't escape from the car because, during the crash, his feet were on the dashboard. This position caused his legs to be thrust through the windshield, trapping him between the...

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Tears of a Tiger

Rhonda's feelings for Tyrone are first hinted at when Tyrone leaves the locker room early to see if Rhonda is with another guy, as described on page 6. After the accident, Rhonda explicitly expresses...

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Tears of a Tiger

Keisha mentions Andy in her friendship essay because she empathizes with his deep depression following the loss of his best friend. Reflecting on her own friendships, she gains insight into Andy's...

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Tears of a Tiger

In Tears of a Tiger, the teachers at Hazelwood High School believe that Andy can deal with and overcome his problems for various reasons. Sheila believes that Andrew will survive because he is Black....

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Tears of a Tiger

Andy and Keisha broke up at the talent show due to Andy's erratic behavior and emotional outburst. During the event, Andy performed an impromptu strip-show, which embarrassed Keisha. When she tried...

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Tears of a Tiger

To prepare for a test on "Tears of a Tiger," remember the main themes of grief, guilt, and the impact of trauma. Focus on the characters' development, especially Andy's struggles after the accident,...

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Tears of a Tiger

Mrs. Thorne, the counselor, violates Andy's privacy by disclosing to Tyrone and B.J. that Andy is receiving counseling for depression following his friend's death in a car accident. Although she...

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Tears of a Tiger

Andy associates himself with a tiger because he feels trapped and confined, much like a caged tiger in a zoo. This association is reinforced when his brother Monty draws a crying tiger, symbolizing...

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Tears of a Tiger

Tears of a Tiger teaches important lessons about emotional openness, the dangers of drinking and driving, and recognizing signs of depression. It emphasizes the need for young people to express their...

3 educator answers

Tears of a Tiger

In "Private Pain" from Tears of a Tiger, Andy's mother refers to the car crash that killed Rob as an "unfortunate incident." She uses this term to encourage Andy to move on and see positive...

1 educator answer

Tears of a Tiger

Andy is upset when his parents don't attend his basketball games because it makes him feel unsupported and undervalued. His mother's rare appearances are more about making a social statement than...

1 educator answer

Tears of a Tiger

The target audience for Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper is primarily young adults. The novel addresses themes relevant to teenagers, such as grief, guilt, and the struggles of adolescence,...

2 educator answers

Tears of a Tiger

Andy's punishment in "Tears of a Tiger" is not realistic. In Illinois, a drunk driving incident involving injury is typically upgraded to a felony, suggesting that merely revoking Andy's license is...

1 educator answer