1. I found it to be surprising that his teacher called him out in front of his whole class. From my experience, teachers are supportive. However, this was from an earlier time. Things were a bit different, I guess.
2. His shame lasted until he was 29. His academic, comedic, and athletic feats helped to rid him of shame. However, It seemed to be his wife that was the one to really help rid him of the shame he felt since that day in school.
3. He makes sure to wash his clothes every evening. Even when the water pipes were busted, he melted ice to wash his clothes in. Also, every time he saw Helene coming down the street, he would fix his hair and wipe his shoes clean. To really impress her, he attempted to donate more than she did, to the community chest.
4. As he reflected upon his past story of shame, it seemed like he didn't want to identify his teacher by name. Since he was older when he wrote the story, he probably felt that his teacher was just a person of the time. Also, that the teacher did not fully understand how her words affected him. Gregory doesn't seem like the type of person to try and tarnish a persons name over something that may have been a misunderstanding. He knows what it feels like being lumped into a group, and did not want to classify the teacher in a similar negative group.
5. To me, as a reader, the dialogue helped me visualize each situation. It also made me feel as if I was there, in each situation. Each situation had significant importance, and the dialogue helped accent that.
6. He says that because he becomes aware of discrimination, and sees the world in a whole new view. His points are illustrated by the food bus, the clothes handed out to the poor (that looked the same), and being classified as a "Worthy boy".
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