English 9 Name ____________________________
“Button, Button” Richard Matheson Questions
1. Describe the button unit as Norma describes it.
2. When talking to Mr. Steward, what about the button unit interests Norma?
3. What three actions show that Arthur disapproves of the button unit?
4. Norma says, “Aren’t you curious at all?” What does this reveal about her?
5. Norma and Arthur view the proposition differently. Explain how each one views the button unit?
6. What seems to be motivating Norma to call Mr. Steward, and to continue her discussion of the button unit with Arthur?
Double indemnity is a clause or provision in a life insurance or accident policy whereby the company agrees to pay the
stated multiple (i.e., double, triple, etc.) of the face amount in the contract in cases of death caused by accidental means.
7. What does this (double indemnity) mean for Norma?
8. Explain what Mr. Steward means when he says, “My dear lady, do you really think you knew your husband?” How is
this an example of irony?
Moral Characterization
mor·al
ˈmôrəl/
adjective
1. concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character.
9. Based upon the definition above, select a quote that best describes Norma’s moral characterization.
10. Based upon the definition above, select a quote that best describes Arthur’s moral characterization.
11. Overall, what might the box in this story symbolize? Explain your answer.
12. How is the passing of time used to build suspense? How do the characters change over the story? How does this build
tension?
13. List 3 characteristics for each character.
Norma Arthur Mr. Steward
14. What do you think the story is trying to teach us? (theme)
15. What perspective is the story being told from? Does this help build suspense?