Brian’s Song – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Brian Piccolo
answer
overconfident and talkative died at the age of 26 sang his college fight song in front of his team was #2 in high school
question
Gale Sayers
answer
shy and determined won Rookie of the Year was awarded the Most Courageous Player Award put mashed potatoes in a teammate's chair
question
Halas
answer
head coach for the Chicago Bears decided it was time to have black and white players room together
question
Joy Piccolo
answer
was afraid to tell her husband that he needed a second surgery went with Gale to visit a little girl in the hospital
question
Linda Sayers
answer
encouraged her husband to work hard to recover after a knee injury was embarrassed for her husband when he stumbled through a speech told her husband to rush to the hospital
question
McCaskey
answer
decided it was time to have black and white players room together prayed for Brian in his hospital room
question
Butkus
answer
linebacker who was the only person Brain said he was afraid of
question
Gibron
answer
an assistant coach who pushed the players to their limits
question
Caroline
answer
reprimanded players for talking during a team meeting decided it was time to have black and white players room together
question
Brian and Gale's original relationship
answer
Gale is very standoffish and rude towards Brian at first. They are very competitive with one another and prank each other because they are competing for the same position.
question
What important event cause Gale and Brian to become closer friends?
answer
They have to room together
question
Why is Coach Halas concerned about his decision to make Gale and Brian room together?
answer
He is worried how the public will perceive it and how the boys will handle the hateful comments
question
What is Brian's nickname for Gale?
answer
"Blackmagic"
question
Brian slides into the first string running back job after what event?
answer
Gale is injured
question
After Gale's injury, why does Brian want Gale to return to the team?
answer
Brian never wants to be the best player by default and with Gale coming back he will have someone to compete with.
question
Why does Brian hate being the #2 running back?
answer
Brian likes to be #1 at all times and wants playing time
question
What important decision does Coach Halas make after Gale returns from his injury?
answer
Gale becomes the starting half back Brian becomes the starting full back
question
What causes Gale to become suspicious that something is wrong with Brian?
answer
Brian becomes slower, weaker, skinnier, and has a lot of shortage of breath.
question
Why does Brian have to quit playing football?
answer
Brian is diagnosed with lung cancer and has part of his lung removed.
question
What does Brian decide that he will try to do when he recovers?
answer
Brian decides that he will be a kicker
question
What happened to the little girl that Brian met in the hospital? Why is that significant?
answer
The little girl that Brian met dies. This is significant because it foreshadows Brian's death.
question
Why does Gale encourage the doctors to postpone Brian's surgery?
answer
Gale encourages the doctors to postpone Brian's surgery because Brian needs to mentally prepare for his surgery.
question
What award does Gale accept and dedicate to Brian?
answer
Gale accepts the George S. Halas Award - Most Courageous Player
question
After accepting the award, what does Gale ask the audience to do?
answer
Gale asks the audience to love Brian and ask God to love him too.
question
At the end of the play, Brian tells Gale that it's fourth and eight, and they won't let him punt. What does he mean by this statement?
answer
This statement means that Brian is trying to win this battle but he can no longer go on.
question
Just before he dies, what does Brian thank Gale for?
answer
Brian thanks Gale for teaching him a lot about running. It overall means that Gale always pushed him to do his best.
question
Describe Gale and Brian's relationship by the end of the play.
answer
By the end of the play, Brian and Gale are best friends, great competitors, and have a deep appreciation for one another. "Brotherly"
question
Know examples of what was happening during the 1960s in the United States that impacted the story. Explain why race was not an issue between Brian and Gale.
answer
Rosa Parks: This sets the Civil Rights Movement into action. Brian and Gale would not have been able to share a room together if this did not happen. Greensboro Sit-Ins: Gale would not be able to eat in the same dining hall as the rest of his team if this event did not happen. Race was not an issue between Gale and Brian because they were really good friends and neither of them cared about what race people were.
question
Exposition
answer
We are introduced to Brian and Gale and the setting (1965) Gale arrives at Chicago Bears Training Camp
question
Inciting Incident
answer
Brian and Gale have their first conversation
question
Rising Action
answer
Brian and Gale make the team Brian and Gale room together Gale is injured
question
Climax
answer
Brian is diagnosed with cancer
question
Falling Action
answer
Brian has surgery and part of his lung is removed Brian has surgery again because the cancer has spread Gale wins the George S. Halas Award - Most Courageous Player
question
Resolution
answer
Brian dies of cancer
question
Protagonist
answer
Brian The story revolves around his football career and he is a central character.
question
Antagonist
answer
Gale He is the opposer of Brian in the beginning of the story because they are competing for the same position.
question
Major
answer
Brian and Gale The story revolves around their actions, football career, and events that happen to them.
question
Round
answer
Brian and Gale They have many character traits and are well-rounded characters. Brian is outgoing, brave, determined, and optimistic. Gale is courageous, determined, and quiet.
question
Static
answer
Brian He does not undergo any personality or character traits throughout the story. His personality remains the same.
question
Dynamic
answer
Gale undergoes many personality and character changes throughout the story. He is quiet and shy but becomes brave and interactive.
question
Character vs. Character
answer
Brian vs. Gale Brian and Gale compete against each other for the same position on the Chicago Bears football team. Brian tricks Gale into embarrassing himself.
question
Character vs. Nature
answer
Brian vs. Cancer Brian is diagnosed with cancer and has to battle it in order to live but he loses the battle.
question
Character vs. Society
answer
Gale and Brian vs. Racism Brian and Gale are discriminated against they are different races and room together. Brian and Gale receive hate letters for opposers.
question
Character vs. Self
answer
Gale vs. Negativity Gale fights his own negativity while he is recovering from his knee injury. He was constantly down on himself but Brian helped him.
question
Theme
answer
Greatest competitors can be best friends as well. Brian and Gale are each others greatest competitors during football season because they are competing for the same position but eventually become best friends. My best friend Isabella is my greatest academic competitor but we are best friends.
