The Indian in the Cupboard

CHAPTERS 1-7

Reading Check

1. A cabinet (Chapter 1)

2. Crazy-horse (Chapter 3)

3. Iroquois (Chapter 3)

4. Tommy (Chapter 5)

5. Crazy-horse (Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. Omri receives a plastic replica of an Indigenous American figure from his friend Patrick. He is initially disappointed by the gift, as he has four cookie tins full of these plastic figurines and has grown tired of playing with them. Omri’s opinion of the figurine changes significantly when he locks it in the cupboard and it comes to life. This change prompts Omri to think of the figurine, an Iroquois man, often and eagerly anticipate their time together. (Chapters 1-7)

2. Patrick becomes suspicious of Omri’s behavior when Omri decides to rush home rather than skateboard after school. Omri appears to become increasingly erratic as he begins to create objects for Little Bear—who to Patrick is simply a plastic figurine. Patrick initially thinks Omri is taunting him when he speaks of the figurine, but when he attempts to give Omri a toy cowboy and Omri rejects the gift because of his fear that the two will fight, Patrick insists on meeting Little Bear. Upon meeting Little Bear, Patrick understands Omri’s actions. (Chapters 2, 6-7)

3. Omri is afraid to reveal the existence of Little Bear to the adults in his home because he fears the adults will allow Little Bear to fall into the hands of scientists who will experiment on him. Omri also warns Little Bear that because he is so small, cats and other animals may pose a danger to him. (Chapters 3-4)

4. Little Bear originates from 1700s colonial America and is transported through time to 1980s Britain. There are several misunderstandings that arise between Omri and Little Bear because of their historical and cultural differences. Little Bear, for example, is surprised when Omri turns off the lamp in his room as he originally believed it to be the sun. Omri is surprised to learn that Little Bear is an Iroquois, and unlike the movies Omri has seen, he lives in a longhouse. (Chapters 2-7)

5. Omri purchases a chief figurine to acquire the supplies needed for Little Bear to survive. The chief dies upon being released from the cupboard, prompting Little Bear to declare himself the new chief. Omri recognizes an instant change in Little Bear as the newfound authority causes him to make demands of Omri. Omri resists Little Bear’s demands and later tells the self-proclaimed chief that he has become bossy. (Chapters 6-7)

CHAPTERS 8-10

Reading Check

1. A wife (Chapter 8)

2. A cowboy (Chapter 8)

3. Boohoo (Chapter 9)

4. The “plasstick” store (Chapter 9)

Short Answer

1. Omri recognizes the potential dangers of creating real-life figurines in the cabinet as he has been responsible for feeding, protecting, and caring for Little Bear’s needs up to this point. Patrick, initially unaware of the dangers of the figurines, brings to life Boone, who promptly shoots him with his gun. The consequences continue to build after Patrick leaves as Boone and Little Bear attack one another while Omri is sleeping. (Chapters 8-10)

2. Omri behaves responsibly, while Patrick tends to be careless. Omri recognizes the risks involved with bringing the plastic figurines to life and the burden of caring for the figurines. Patrick, who is more careless than Omri, insists on bringing a figurine to life for his own benefit despite the risk it poses. Patrick, seemingly unaware that the figurines are living creatures, attempts to convince Omri to allow the cowboy and Iroquois to fight. Patrick also exhibits his carelessness by insisting Omri bring the living figures to school. (Chapter 8)

3. Boone and Little Bear behave as though they are enemies. The two first encounter one another while Omri is sleeping, and their interaction immediately erupts in conflict. After being separated by Omri, Little Bear offers to dance if Omri permits him to kill the cowboy. Likewise, Boone refuses to eat with Little Bear because of his Iroquois heritage. The two again fight without weapons but are interrupted by Omri, who calls the conflict a draw. (Chapters 9-10)

CHAPTERS 11-16

Reading Check

1. Patrick (Chapter 11)

2. Drawing (Chapter 13)

3. The cupboard (Chapter 14)

4. Gillon’s rat (Chapter 15)

5. A beaded belt (Chapter 16)

Short Answer

1. Boone and Little Bear both have difficulty putting aside their differences, though Little Bear tends to be more willing to do so than Boone. Boone is soft-hearted and cries often, while Little Bear behaves as though he is a warrior. (Chapters 11-16)

2. Omri believes Patrick’s care for the figurines is reckless because when he is given the men, they are nearly crushed by a brawl between Patrick and a girl at the lunch table. Patrick, when confronted with his behavior during that day, confesses the existence of the figurines to adults—something Omri fears may cause the two to be taken away. (Chapters 11-12)

3. Little Bear and Boone watch a Western with Omri in which the settlers attack the Indigenous people, prompting the two to argue. Boone taunts Little Bear, who shoots the cowboy with an arrow. Little Bear helps dress Boone’s wound and displays signs of remorse after the interaction. For example, Little Bear stomps on his headdress and goes into his longhouse to be alone. (Chapter 14)

4. Boone and Little Bear fight with one another throughout the novel, eventually resulting in Boone’s injury. Omri, attempting to mend the relationship between the two, suggests Litte Bear become a “blood-brother” to Boone. Little Bear prepares the feast and ceremony, and Boone is honored by the gesture. The ceremony helps Boone to overcome his biases toward Indigenous people. (Chapters 15-16)