Chapter 26 · Holes

Copywork

Then she carefully applied a fresh coat of red lipstick and gave him the kiss he had asked for. For the next twenty years Kissin’ Kate Barlow was one of the most feared outlaws in all the West.

Read the passage aloud. What do the careful steps in the first sentence tell you about how she feels?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happened in Green Lake, from the morning the school stood empty to the day Kate Barlow became an outlaw.

The sheriff says the law punishes Sam for the kiss but not Katherine. What does the sheriff seem to think the law is for? Inference
Katherine says, “We’re all equal under the eyes of God,” and the sheriff answers with a question of his own. Whose idea of “equal” is stronger? Theme
The narrator says that since then not one drop of rain has fallen on Green Lake. Why might the author put that fact right after Sam's death? Author's choice
Three days after Sam's death, Katherine shoots the sheriff and then gives him the kiss he asked for. Why might she do that? Character
Trout Walker leads the mob, the sheriff makes his demand, and Sam is killed. Who is most responsible for what happens to Sam? What makes you say so? Moral reasoning

Make a Connection Tell about a time you saw a rule that seemed unfair to one person but not another.

Vocabulary

applied: Then she carefully applied a fresh coat of red lipstick Put on or spread over a surface.
outlaws: one of the most feared outlaws in all the West People who live outside the law, often by crime.
mob: a mob of men and women came storming into the school building A large, angry crowd.
declared: “We’re all equal under the eyes of God,” she declared. Said firmly and out loud.
drawl: “the sheriff said in a slow drawl A slow way of speaking that stretches out the words.
hesitated: Sam hesitated for a moment Paused because of doubt or fear.
wriggle: She tried to wriggle free. To twist and squirm to get loose.
punish: The law will punish Sam. To make someone suffer for what they did.

Critical thinking

The mob comes to the school after word of the kiss spreads, then piles up the books. Using two pieces of evidence, what do you think the mob wants to punish?
Katherine tells Sam they must leave Mary Lou behind. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what this moment shows about Sam.
The narrator says Katherine was rescued “against her wishes.” Using two pieces of evidence, explain what she has lost by the end of the lake scene.