Holes Lesson 5: Mr. Sir - Worksheet

In Lesson 5 of the "Holes" study, students are prompted to delve deeper into Chapter 4 with a focus on character analysis, specifically examining the character of Mr. Sir. The worksheet directs students to read the chapter once more, this time with heightened scrutiny on quotations, descriptions, dialogues, and actions that reveal nuances of Mr. Sir's personality and motivations. One particular description details Mr. Sir having a tattoo of a rattlesnake on his arm, which appears to wriggle as he signs his name. This vivid imagery not only paints a picture of Mr. Sir's outward appearance but also suggests a sense of underlying danger and unpredictability associated with his character, much like the unpredictable nature of a rattlesnake.

Furthermore, students are asked to consider the implications of Mr. Sir's dialogue, such as the terse statement, "I wouldn't waste a bullet on you." This dialogue serves as a direct insight into Mr. Sir's dismissive and perhaps menacing disposition. It implies a level of contempt and a threatening undercurrent in his interactions with others. By dissecting this dialogue, students are encouraged to infer and discuss what such a statement, and the manner in which it is delivered, indicates about Mr. Sir's character, his attitude towards others, and the dynamics of power within the story's setting.