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“The Second Tree from the Corner” by E. B. White
1. What is the setting of the story? How do you know?
2. Explain Mr. Trexler’s reaction to the doctor’s question. What is he feeling? Why does he feel this way?
3. What is Mr. Trexler’s reaction to the book in the doctor’s office? What is his history? What does this tell
you about him?
4. How does the doctor know that Mr. Trexler is scared?
5. What does Mr. Trexler think of the man in the waiting room?
6. Explain what Mr. Trexler begins to think of his weekly visits to the doctor. Why does he begin to identify
with the doctor? Is this unusual for him?
7. How is the fifth visit different? What does Mr. Trexler ask the doctor? How does this change his view of
the situation? How does it change his view of the doctor?
8. What is the weather like as Mr. Trexler leaves the doctor’s office? How does this reflect his attitude?
9. What is it that Mr. Trexler realizes as he walks down the street? What is it that he wants? What does this
mean?
10. Once he makes this discovery, how does Mr. Trexler feel? What does he now think of the doctor? How has
Mr. Trexler changed?
11. Explain the meaning of the title of the story. How is the tree a symbol?
12. What is the main conflict in the story? What type of conflict is it?
13. What is the point of view of the story? Explain your answer.
14. Give at least one example of a metaphor and a simile from the story.
15. What do you think is the theme of the story? Explain.
16. Was your response to the bell ringer question more similar to Mr. Trexler’s or the doctor’s? Explain.