Whether to encourage personal reflection, small-group studies, or classroom participation, the primary purpose of the Discussion Guide is to explore the subject matter found in the pages of El Gato’s Revenge.
It’s not necessarily intended to lend a better, more in-depth analysis and understanding of the story or its characters, although it may be gleaned from the questions provided and conclusions may be drawn.
Ultimately, these exercises have been designed to develop reading comprehension, build writing and thinking skills, and lend enrichment to the overall experience of the story.
We hope you’ll discover this to be true.
CHAPTER 1 – Ol’ Man Sammy
PAIN AND SACRIFICE – Pages 9-10 In the beginning of the story we learn that the main character is Rudy “El Gato” Galvez, a gifted boxer about to compete for a championship. To be the best, Rudy works hard at it. It requires pain and sacrifice on his part, and although it’s not easy, he understands it’s the only way he can become a champion one day. For many, competing in sports is one way to excel. What are some other areas that help us to develop new skills? Do you think it’s important to have dreams and goals?
A FRIEND IN NEED – Pages 10-13 While doing roadwork in the park, Rudy discovers that a homeless old drunk named Sammy is being harassed by street punks. Because he considers Sammy a friend, he steps in and bravely drives the thugs away. In fact, he doesn’t think twice about lending a helping hand.
Have you ever been forced to aid a friend in a time of need? What kind of help did you give them? Were they happy you did?
A BEGGAR’S LIFE – Pages 11-13 As Rudy is about to say goodbye to his homeless friend, he reflects on the sad life a drifter leads. In Sammy’s case it is a life swallowed up in alcohol abuse. Despite the fact that Sammy can always put a smile on his face, Rudy recognizes it’s no way for anyone to live. Have you ever stopped to consider a homeless person and what led to their condition? How does it make you feel inside? What about alcohol? Why do you think so many people turn to drinking as a way of coping with life? Do you think it’s helpful or hurtful?
CHAPTER 2 – The Fight Game
INSPIRATION – Page16 We learn that Rudy’s favorite boxer is Oscar De La Hoya because of his confidence, his “steely glare” and his success in the ring. It’s exactly the kind of greatness Rudy wants for himself—no matter the cost. Is there someone you look up to or admire in life? A family member? A sports figure? A celebrity? If so, what is it about that person that you respect so much?
RIGHT OR WRONG – Pages 17-18 When Rudy’s trainer—his uncle Alex—discovers he came to Sammy’s defense, he isn’t happy about it. Instead he becomes visibly upset. Here, Rudy thought he was doing a positive thing by protecting the harmless old man. He found it hard to understand why his uncle saw it differently. And yet we learn his uncle was concerned that his nephew might have been hurt or even killed in senseless violence—a fact we hear about too often in America today. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you thought you were doing the right thing, but later realized it might have been foolish after all? Looking back on it now, would you have done anything differently?
FOCUS & DETERMINATION – Pages 22-25 While preparing for his championship fight with Kyle “The Caveman” Brodie, Rudy spars with his brother Jesse. In the final round of their sparring session, Rudy is forced to give it all he has in order to outbox his brother. He realizes that anything less and his brother will get the best of him. Have you ever had such determination for something that nothing or no one was going to stop you? Were you able to stay focused until you reached your goal? What was the outcome? Does that type of determination ever drive you to do better in school and strive to get the best grades possible?
CHAPTER 3 – The Vaquero Locos
CHOICES – Pages 27-28 Jesse and Rudy realize a little too late that their brother Memo is going out with the sister of local gang leaders. Because they are uneasy about it, Jesse decides he’s going to talk to Memo the first chance he has. However, that chance never comes as Memo ends up in a hospital and life for the Galvez family is forever changed. Have you ever experienced a situation where someone you cared about was making the kind of decision that could cause them great harm? Did you confront them and tell them how you felt? What was the result? Were they grateful that you cared enough to talk to them about it or did they feel your concern was out of place?
THE LOVE OF A FATHER – Pages 29-33 Rudy has great respect for his parents. He knows that his father is a good man. He provides for the family by running an automotive shop that he owns. He is a man that leads more with actions than words. But Rudy also recognizes that his father has become too busy most of the time; that he’s not there to share important moments in their lives. It’s an area that many parents struggle with as they try to juggle professional responsibilities with quality family time. And now more than ever, mothers are being forced to find jobs too. But why is that? Is it so children can have designer shoes or pants? Is it so children can have cable television to watch after school? And yet is that what is important to them? More important even than having a parent who is there for them, who is supportive and loving when it’s necessary? Where do you stand on this subject? If children grow up without the influence and direction of their parents, how will it change them? Will it eventually have an affect on society too?
CHAPTER 4 – Faith and Foolishness
SHOCK & SURPRISE – Pages 35-36 The Galvez family rushes to the hospital as soon as they learn Memo is hurt. Then after talking to a police officer, they are crushed to discover that Memo is going to remain in police custody. In fact, it’s believed Memo was involved in a shooting incident that resulted in the death of a young black man. Have you ever been given news that shocked and surprised you beyond words? How did it make you feel at that moment? How did you handle the situation afterwards?
PEACE & CALM – Pages 38-39 While trying to make sense of Memo’s troubles, Jesse and Rudy share a quiet conversation in their room. During that time, Rudy wonders how Jesse can be so calm and collected most of time. Finally, his curiosity getting the best of him—Rudy poses the question to his brother. Jesse reflects a moment before explaining that he feels it’s the power of God working through him—something he learned from their grandmother when their little sister Nena had fallen ill. It’s obvious that faith in God is extremely important to Jesse. Have you ever turned to God for wisdom concerning something you were upset about? Do you feel your prayer was answered? Was it the answer you expected?
CHAPTER 5 – The Darkest Day
DISBELIEF – Pages 46-47 When Rudy corners a school mate with ties to one of the street gangs, he hopes to learn a little more about Memo’s situation. Instead he is overcome with disbelief when the student tells him that his brother is actually a member of one of the gangs. Have you ever experienced a situation where you discovered something upsetting about someone from another person? How did it make you feel? Did you experience a sense of betrayal? Did you confront them in an effort to discover the truth?
SORROW – Pages 52-54 Once Rudy learns that Jesse has arranged a meeting with a rival gang member to try and settle things peacefully, he races to the meeting place—San Angelo Park. However, to his horrible surprise, he discovers that Jesse has been shot only to die moments later in his arms. Have you ever lost someone close to you? Was it a relative? Was it a friend? What did that person mean to you and how did you mange to cope with their loss?
CHAPTER 6 – The Soul That Sorrows
REFLECTIONS – Pages 55-57 Present at Jesse’s funeral, Rudy is numb to everything around him. He can’t wrap his mind around the fact that his brother is truly gone. While delivering the eulogy the pastor states, “This is a solemn reminder . . . that we simply don’t know the number of our days.” It’s a point worth considering since many of us tend to take life for granted. Many of us think that we’re going to live forever and that nothing bad will happen to us. We believe that bad things happen to other people, but surely not us. Certainly Jesse didn’t go to the park expecting to be shot. Do you ever stop and wonder what happens to us after we die? Does it ever cross your mind that life can be so fragile? If so, have you come to any realizations that have changed your outlook on life? Is there anything you feel you need to do differently?
GUILT & FRUSTRATION – Page 60 In the story it’s believed that the district attorney talked the judge out of allowing Memo to attend Jesse’s funeral. Can you imagine how it must have made Memo feel to learn that his brother had been shot and killed? How frustrated do you think he felt when he found out he couldn’t attend the funeral? Has there ever been in a situation where you felt utterly helpless, like there was nothing you could do to change your circumstances? How did you deal with your frustrations?
HYPOCRISY – Pages 62-64 Earlier in the story Rudy’s father is critical of Sammy for running away from life for something he couldn’t come to grips with. Now it’s Rudy’s father who is turning to alcohol in order to deal with his emotions. At some point in life all of us will experience a time of distress. It’s how we deal with it that matters. For some of us it brings out the best in us. But for others, it brings out the worst. Looking back at a difficult time in your life, do you think you handled it well? What about finding fault? How is it we can find fault in others, only to fail to see those same faults in ourselves?
WHY JESSE? – Pages 65-67 Alone in his room and lost in his thoughts, Rudy glances over at Jesse’s empty bed. He then decides to read his dead brother’s letter, only to become angered by it. “Why would [God] take the life of someone who loved him …” he begins to question. Perhaps, he reasons further, there is no God and it’s all a big lie. Has that question ever crossed your mind? Have you ever been so angry at God that you wanted to turn away too or lay blame at his feet? Do you still feel that way?
CHAPTER 7 – Ring of Truth
LONELINESS – Pages 71-74 It would appear that Rudy decided to go through with the championship fight for the wrong reasons. In fact, he probably should have realized he wasn’t himself the last several days. We see this played out as Rudy’s thoughts drift back to Jesse and not on the dangerous opponent staring him down from across the ring. Rudy finally surmises he’s never felt more alone in his life. His father is not present. His mother is not present. And most of all, Jesse is not present. Have you ever felt a terrible loneliness in your life or something similar? What caused these feelings? Did you reach out to others for help or did you withdraw from them? Why or why not?
CHAPTER 8 – The Caveman
PRIDE – Page 77 Once the fight starts and his opponent Kyle Brodie begins to batter Rudy around the boxing ring, the assistant coach instructs Rudy to hold him if he has to. However, Rudy doesn’t want to hold his opponent because he has too much pride. In real life it’s often said that pride comes before a fall. Can you recall a time when you found yourself being too prideful about something? How did it affect you? Did it eventually lead to a “fall”? Did your actions catch up with you? Explain.
HOPE – Pages 82-83 Just before the last round is about to begin, Rudy realizes it was a mistake to go through with the fight. And yet, all he wanted to do was bring hope to his family. His heart was in the right place. Have you ever tried to do something to bring hope to others? Served food at a homeless shelter or raised money for a worthy cause? If so, how did it make you feel to do something for others?
DISAPPOINTMENT – Page 87-88 As the fight nears an end, Rudy recalls a conversation his parents had about his competing in the tournament; how his father insisted on it and his mother was dead set against it. Moments later, his trainer makes a decision that affects the entire outcome and Rudy can’t help but notice how deeply disappointed his father appears. Have you ever done something that disappointed your parents, brothers/sisters, or teachers? Give one or two examples. How did you disappoint them? What is it you did or didn’t do? Did you witness the disappointment in their eyes or perhaps their reactions?
CHAPTER 9 – Aftermath
GUILT – Page 89-90 On the way home from the championship fight, Rudy reflects on the outcome and begins to blame himself, even wondering if it might give his father another reason to start drinking. Have you ever been in a situation where you blamed yourself for someone else’s actions? What happened to make you feel that you were to blame? Would it be right to say that people have the free will to make their own decisions, that in the end it’s up to them to change their own behavior? Would you agree that sometimes there is only so much you can do?
COMFORT – Pages 90-92 After returning home, Rudy is comforted by the love of his mother and Nena. Despite their own struggles and pain, they wait on him and lend what comfort then can. It’s in those moments that Rudy recognizes two things—one that the pain he is feeling inside isn’t going to go away easily and two, just how much his sister means to him and the special place he has in his heart for her. Do you share a similar relationship with a brother, sister, or other family members? Describe the special bond you share with that person. Are there times you feel the relationship suffers because one of you is too busy? Perhaps you should make a point of letting that person know how much they mean to you!
WORTHLESSNESS – Pages 96-97 After Rudy steps in between a fight his parents are having, his father loses control and does something he’ll never forget. In some ways, it’s far more painful than anything he’s experienced in the boxing ring. What surfaces in Rudy are feelings of guilt and uncertainty and just like that he pictures himself a worthless loser. Minutes later he can contain his emotions no longer and they explode. Has there ever been a time when your emotions caught you off guard and you found yourself reacting in a way totally unexpected? Explain.
CHAPTER 10 – Goodbye Yesterday
QUITTING TIME – Pages 99-103 Rudy drove over to the Main Street Recreation Center and came to an important decision after reflecting on all of the years he spent in the gym. In minutes he had removed everything from his locker. Then before leaving, he ran into one of the trainers and told him it was over. Have you ever been involved in something you loved with all your heart, and for whatever reason you felt forced to walk away? How did it make you feel? Was it one of the hardest things you ever had to do? Explain.
RESPONSIBILITY – Pages 103-108 In the last chapter, Rudy visits Jesse in the cemetery and brings him up to date on the family. He explains why their parents have separated, why he decided to walk away from boxing, the fact that he’ll be attending a new school, and finally reassures Jesse that he’ll look after their mother and sister. It’s obvious that each of these burdens is a great weight on his shoulders—most of all the hatred he carries for Elgin Jeffrey. Have you ever experienced a time when you were responsible for other members in your family? Perhaps it was watching a younger brother or sister. How did having the responsibility make you feel? What about the hatred Rudy has for Elgin Jeffrey? Can you relate to such an intense dislike for another person? Explain.
Discussion Guide by Kevin Alirez and Ben Alirez
A downloadable version of the Discussion Guide will be available soon.
