The Natural

1. The Natural Test Review

2. Theme • The message about life that the writer wants you to get out of the story.

3. Appearances can be deceiving • Harriet seems to be a nice lady. • Memo appears to be nice and sweet and vulnerable. • Gus seems to care about Memo • Roy appears to be too old to play baseball • The Judge appeared to be doing Pop a favor by helping him out financially.

4. There are consequences for getting mixed up with the wrong people. • Roy loses a promising pitching career when he goes to Harriet’s hotel room. • Pop could lose the team to the Judge. • Roy doesn’t get to play baseball for 16 years. • Memo loses Roy. • Bump dies • Roy misses out on his son’s early years.

5. Some mistakes you never stop paying for • Roy will never get to pitch again. • Memo is continuously used by the men in her life. • Roy will never play baseball again.

6. Basic goodness will overcome evil. • The Knights beat the Pirates • Pop gets the team. • Iris marries Roy • Roy hits a homerun in the final game. • Roy wins in the contest with the Whammer.

7. There are more important things in life than talent and money • Roy is a good example for hundreds of young boys. • Roy finally gets to be a father to his son • Roy will be remembered for his honesty and integrity.

8. Human begins are going to make mistakes and that’s okay as long as you admit them, face them, and don’t make the same mistake twice. • Roy faces the left-handed Nebraska farm boy and wins. • Roy tells Iris about Harriet Bird. • Roy takes the gun away from Memo

9. Foreshadowing • Hinting at something that is going to happen later in the story.

10. Harriet’s comment about Homer the poet • Some tragedy is going to befall Roy the same way it did the Greek heroes in Homer’s tales.

11. Roy replaces Bump in batting practice • Roy will replace Bump on the team and eventually in Memo’s life.

12. Iris in white looking like an angel • Iris will have a good effect on Roy.

13. Roy says “Don’t bet on it” to Gus • Gus will expect Roy to do him a favor, but Roy won’t do it.

14. Pop says, “Don’t jinx this. Knock off the booze” but the players just laugh and continue to drink. • Something will happen to put the Knights in danger of not winning the pennant.

15. Memo’s question to Roy, “Don’t you think I look good in black?” • Memo will choose evil.

16. Memo always wearing black • She will tempt Roy the same way Harriet Byrd did (who also wore black)

17. “The day that snake walked into the ball park was the worst day of my life.” • The Judge will not be a trustworthy person; he will do something sneaky (like the snake he is!)

18. Symbolism • A person, place, or object that stands for something greater than itself.

19. Lightning patches on Knights’ uniforms • The Knights get their confidence from Roy.

20. Lightning bolt on Roy’s bat • The power and strength behind Roy’s talent

21. Memo touching Roy’s scar causing him to wake with a fright. • Memo is having the same effect on Roy that Harriet did.

22. Train going into tunnel • Symbolizes Roy’s descent toward the dark side of life—acquiescing to evil—giving in to temptation.

23. The train whistle • Roy’s past---his youth

24. The homerun that hits the clock • A bad time in his life is coming to an end

25. Iris standing up at Roy’s game • Those who have always stood by you will be the ones you can count on to stand by you.

26. Bad tasting water • Team has been infected with evil.

27. rain • Cleansing effect for the team • New beginning for Roy

28. Iris in white looking like an angel • She is good

29. Roy rubbing his side when he pitches • He still paying the consequences for his mistake.

30. Knights begin winning after Roy’s meeting with Iris • She will have a good effect on him

31. Roy’s last homerun hitting the lights • His baseball career is over

32. Judge prefers dark • He is evil

33. Roy’s turning on the light in the Judge’s office • Goodness will overcome evil

34. Memo wearing white at her party • She is totally deceitful

35. Roy at Tower Maternity • Family is the most important thing in life.

36. Red saying “Better late than never, Pop.” • It’s never too late to start doing the right thing.

37. Pop saying “Well, this is practice.” • If you don’t practice facing temptation and doing the right thing with the little things in life that come along, you will not be prepared to do the right thing when you have to face the big things in life---the things that matter.

38. Glare on Judge’s glasses • He is untrustworthy

39. Relationship between Roy and Bobby • Father/son relationship is important

40. Roy facing the Nebraska farm boy • Roy facing and coming to terms with his past.

41. Roy’s bat breaking • Strength and power don’t come from baseball; they come from the good within a person. • His baseball career is over

42. Picking out the Savoy Special • Father/son role model relationship is his new role in life

43. Sun setting before the last game • End of baseball career.

44. Sun rise in the last scene • New life as father/husband

45. Roy is not shot by Memo • He did the right thing. He didn’t give in to temptation. • People may be able to take away your talent, but they cannot take away your integrity, morals, and honesty.

46. Knights winning against Pirates • Goodness will prevail

47. Sparks showering down around Roy • Goodness, integrity and honor surrounding him that reward him in a way the game never could.

48. Irony • A contrast between what is said and what is meant or between what is expected and what actually exists or happens.

49. Memo said “Congratulations” to Roy when the Knights won in Chicago • She’s getting paid to make sure he loses.

50. Pop says he won’t ever play Roy • Roy is the one who inspires the team to win