The+Beard

In this chapter, Uncle Gurton and his mysterious beard come to the Kirkman household. Curious, Joe Robert and Jess plot to drug Uncle Gurton so that they can sneak into his room and see the notorious beard. Jess the narrator describes this as an adventure - he and his father did a lot more than they bargained for when Uncle Gurton's beard appeared to have sharks and mermaids living in it. (Benedict, Street)
 * The Big Questions: How does this chapter fit the novel as a whole / Why is it important / What should a good reader take away from this chapter?**

We continue to see that Joe Robert is a prankster, doing whatever he can to mess with his family. We also see a first glimpse of Jess's slightly distrustful feelings towards his father when they are venturing into Uncle Gurton's room for their big adventure. We also find out that Jess' grandmother already knows about the beard and its mysteries - this goes back to when Jess felt left out because he didn't have certain information that adults had and how his grandmother had that information in this chapter. This chapter is important because it shows that everything isn't always what it seems: for example, Joe Robert turned out to be not as safe as Jess thought, and the beard was very different than Jess and Joe Robert expected. (Benedict, Street)

This chapter contributes to the role of telling the story of this peculiar family and how this family interacts with each other. It shows how Jess looks up to his dad and how sometimes he questions him because he is unsure of his decisions. And it also shows how Jess is unknowlageable of how older people act.


 * Important Quotes (and commentary)**

//"Every snap and squeak of the floor made me fearful; I was certain we'd be discovered. What could we say to Uncle Gurton and my grandmother when they found us? I realized, maybe for the first time, that my father wasn't always the safest protection in the world."//

//-// Here, we see a first glimpse of Jess' slightly distrustful feelings towards his father when they are venturing into Uncle Gurton's room for their big adventure. It marks a turning point in Jess' character.

//"We said nothing and turned to look at th house. The upstairs windows were packed solid white with beard, and thee were trailers coming out of the downstairs kitchen windows, and from the chimney a long flame-like banner of it reached toward the stars and swayed in the cold breeze.// //'We just wanted to see Uncle Gurton's beard,' I told her.// //She clucked her tongue. 'Well, do you think you've seen enough of it?'// //My father looked at her and gave a deep and mournful sigh. 'Yes, ma'am,' he said. 'I've seen an elegant sufficiency. Any more--' He choked on a giggle like a bone in his throat. 'Any more would be a superfluity.'//

- This quote shows that even though Joe Roberts is an adult, he is still a kid at heart.

//"'Jess, for anything I know, it's green and purple polka-dotted under them overallls and he'd got it braided itnto hangnooses. But I'll tell you what. I'm bound and determined to see that beard, every inch of it. I'll never sleep easy again till I do.'// //'How are you going to do that?'// //'I'll let you know.'"//

//-// When Joe Robert sets his mind to something...

" '//Let's go,' he said, and we opened the forbidden door and tiptoed through the dark sun parlor. The souvenir teacups rattled on the glassed-in shelves. It was stale in here and dusty. I was afraid I'd sneeze and trumpet our crime to the world at large."//

//-// This shows that Joe Robert is very curious. Even though Jess tells him that this is not a good idea he still wants to find out how long the beard is and continue on with his curious ways.(Benson, Cox)


 * Moments of astonishingly good writing**