Chapter 7

Question 1

1. David is determined to stay alive. Why?

Answer 1

David has a reason to live – his mother is alive and lives in Denmark. He even
knows her name now. He has to stay alive so that he can get to her. (page 155
– 157)

Question 2

2. Why does David not feel sympathy for the family, who are very badly treated
   by the farmer himself?

Answer 2

The wife is a clumsy, silent woman with a sharp edge to her tongue. David
never thought it was possible that children could be so evil. The boy either
destroyed thigs, got into mischief, or abused the animals. The girl did nothing to
please anyone. (page 158)

Question 3

3. Why does David find his own ill-treatment amusing?

Answer 3

Even though the evil farmer and his family tried to make life as hard as possible
for David, it was still to his advantage – he had shelter from the cold and food
to eat. (page 160)

Question 4

4. Why does the farmer take care to hide the signs of Spring from David?

Answer 4

The farmer wants to keep David imprisoned for as long as possible, because
David works hard (free labour). Once David realises it’s Spring, he will try to
escape. (page 165)

Question 5

5. What keeps David’s spirit alive through the winter?

Answer 5

David often finds himself daydreaming of his mother and what her life is
Denmark must be like. He was no longer a boy wandering aimlessly, he was
one who knew where he was going to. (page 163)

Question 6

6. How does David plan to escape?

Answer 6

He would cut a hole in the stable wall and then dig a tunnel through the snow
and get out some distance from the house. (page 168)

Question 7

7. King protects David against the farmer. How does this make David feel? Explain
   how King demonstrates ultimate friendship to David.

Answer 7

David went into the stable and cried. He was deeply touched by the thought
that a creature wanted to protect him although he had done nothing to
deserve it.