Racing in the Rain Chapter Questions
Chapters 1-5
1. Why does Enzo think "Darn, Life Imitating art?"
Enzo believes he is acting when he can not get up. Then he realizes that he really can not move and thinks
"Darn, life imitating art."
2. In Chapter 1, there is foreshadowing. What do you know will happen by the end of the book from foreshadowing?
There are many hints or clues as to what will happen given in chapter 1. Some of them include that Denny
will have a daughter, his wife will die, he will race cars, he will quit his job, and Enzo will die.
3. At the end of chapter 3, read the quote from the racer Julian Sabella Rosa. Think about the quote. What do you like to do that gives you the same feelings? Why does it make you feel that way?
The quote by racer Julian Sabella Rosa means that your body is in sync with what you are doing. I feel like
that when I......................(ex. play baseball, piano, video games, etc.)
4. In chapter 5, Enzo laments not having any thumbs. How would a dog's life be different if it had thumbs?
If a dog had thumbs they could pick things up and hold them.
5. Why does Enzo believe that man's closest relative is the dog?
Enzo believes that man is closest to the dog beacause of werewolves. When the full moon comes out man is
said to turn into a werewolve (dog), not a monkey.
Chapters 6-9
1. What happens that changes Enzo’s life?
The first thing to happen that changes Enzo's life is that Denny marries Eve and they have a daughter Zoe. Enzo makes a connection with Eve when Zoe is born and promises her that he will always protect them. The second thing that happens is that Denny forgets to turn the TV off. He leaves it on the Weather Channel and Enzo starts to learn all about the world.
2. Enzo smells a bad odor in Eve. What do you think that this is foreshadowing?
Enzo smells rot and decay coming from Eve's head. This is probably forshadowing some type of growth or cancer in her brain.
3. Denny says “We are creators of our own destiny.” What does he mean by that? Enzo believes this after he purposefully spends time with Eve and connects to her in a way that he has not before. What do you think this statement means? Do you agree or disagree with it. Cite evidence in your answer.
Answers will vary, but should include your definition of the quote and how Enzo changed his destiny with Eve.
Chapters 10-15
1. Why is Enzo left alone?
Enzo is left alone when Eve gets a crushing headache. She is not thinking and takes Zoe to go get help, forgetting about Enzo for 3 days.
2. What is the subject analyzed in Chapter ten?
The subject analyzed is racing. The chapter describes how a racer must anticipate what is going to happen if they are going to be in control of their car.
3. Zoes’s zebra comes alive and threatens Enzo. What does the zebra symbolize.
The Zebra symbolizes the evil inside of people, Enzo sees it as the devil or a demon. It first comes out when Enzo attacks Zoe's toys and then later when Eve is attacked by the cancer.
4. What does Denny do to Enzo that is unexpected?
Denny almost hits Enzo for ripping up Zoe's toys, this is unexpected. Eve has to lay on top of Enzo to protect him.
5. How have Eve and Denny changed from the beginning of the book?
In the beginning of the book, Eve and Denny are very loving to each other. As the story progresses, and Eve's cancer gets worse they begin to drift apart.
6. Why won’t Zoe eat her chicken nuggets?
Zoe won't eat her nuggets because they were spoiled.