What differences do you see between the students at Brown and the students Cedric met in the summer program at MIT?

What courses does Cedric decide to avoid and why doesn't  he register for those courses?

Who does Barbara want Cedric to call and why?

What causes the confrontation between Cedric and Rob ?

 

1.       Chapter 6 title is label “The Pretender” why is that? What in Chapter 6 supports this claim? 

2.       Do you think Cedric will fade away from the church when he meets college life or not? 
 3.    What’s the reason behind Barbara’s “generosity” in constantly giving the church money? What is she hoping to receive for doing so? 

1.       How does Cedric social persona grow as a character when he meets friends like Zayd and Chiniqua in A Hope in the Unseen? Does the new environment influence his decision making? Explain thoroughly. 

2.       How does Barbara feel about the development of her son and the many changes that he is going through as a black male in society? What knowledge does she specifically speak about that is significant to Cedric? 

3.       How do the other students Cedric encounters feel about his personal background? How does it impact their life knowing what Cedric goes through as a black male from a poor neighborhood to a college student? 

4.       With Cedric’s personal struggles in college, will he fall subject to drop out of college and lose the motivation he once had when he got in? Is he vulnerable to lowering his standards of success? 

5.       Cedric’s learned the background story of his friend, Zayd. How does Zayd’s and Cedric’s stories parallel with each other. What type of future do they have together after Brown University? 

In Chapter 7 as Cedrick and Barbara arrive to Brown we see that Cedrick worries about Parents weekend do you believe that in the near future Barbara and Cedrick won’t have a good mother and son relationship? 
2.
 

In Chapter 8 we see how Cedrick starts to become insecure do you believe this will wreck his future in succeeding? 
3.
 

In Chapter 8 we see how Cedrick got a 94% in his midterm for Calculus but he wants to aim higher. To aim higher he needs to study more. Do you believe he will isolate himself from the rest? 
4.
 

With all the struggles happening to Cedrick at Brown. Do you believe he will turn back to the church? 
5.
 

What are some comparison between Cedrick and his father? Are there any good influences that will help him in the future? 

2.       Why change characters throughout the book? Why did the author choose to change the voice of the narrative?

3.       Why was Brown University so important to Cedric?

4.       What role does Cedrics dad play in his life?

5.       Why was Cedric distancing himself from his mom? Why was he hesitant to communicate with her?

2.     (Cedric's mother goes to parents’ weekend and Cedric seems to be doing well. However, Barbara notices other parents and their children.) What makes Cedric’s mother feel left out and grow fear that she will become distant from her son?

3.       More than anyone, why would Zayd be the only person trying to really understand Cedric and not Rob (Cedric’s roommate)?

4. In chapter 8, Why does Cedric get offended when people around him make criticizing jokes? (These jokes were about homosexuality.)

5. (Barbara seems confused when Zayd’s mother comes up to her with friendly gestures.) What would Barbara be confused about and why did she not care to converse with Zayd’s mother?
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6. Extra Question: Most of the focus in this novel is driven toward Cedric rather than people around him. How do you think Barbara Jennings feels about what goes on in her life, having to raise kids while the fathers are missing from the picture?

2.       How will Cedric not be allowed to see his father affect him?

3.       Why does Cedric avoid his low scores rather than being truthful about it?

4.       How do you feel Cedric will reacts while he’s in college struggling? Will he give up or implement the motivation and the self-determination he once had?

5.       While in college, Cedric feels out of place; why is that?

How does having a “white friend” impact Cedric?(his perspective on various matters, his attitude towards certain subjects, other things in general impacted by having the roommate)

How does/could his mother’s fear of being forgotten and left behind impact his transition into school?

How does Rob’s upbringing change his values from that of cedric? How do their values conflict?

How has Cedric’s “Identity”and “authentic black culture” impacted him so far in college?

How does the discrimination against minorities (students and professors) as far as education impact Cedric?