The First Seven Years
1.
List and describe the four main characters.
2. Why does Feld want his daughter to marry a college-educated man?
3. What does the description of Max say about his character?
4. What do you think of Max’s request for Miriam’s picture?
5. Why do you think Sobel’s noisiness becomes “violent clanging”? 122
6. How does Sobel compare to Max?
7. What inferences can you draw about Sobel and Miriam’s relationship?
8. Is Feld correct in his interpretation of why Sobel stays with him? 123
9.
How does Feld’s new employee compare and contrast with Sobel? 124
10. What can you infer about Miriam’s feelings for Max? 124
11. Why do you think Feld lies to Miriam about Sobel?
12. What qualities does Miriam want in a boyfriend? 125
13. Do you think Sobel makes the right decision? Why or why not? 127