Answers to Waiting for Gandalf Comprehension test

1.    Why did the protagonist become involved in role games?

Because he was in love with a player and was willing to call her attention by participating in the game.

2.    Who is the most committed player, and the least? Why?

The most committed player is considered to be Spider because he used rea weaponry and he was always in disguise. Besides, Spider was only known by his game name and nobody knew anything about his background. We could consider that Smithy himself likes the game better than real life. The least committed seems to be Morag because she doesn’t really mind about the game too much and she expresses her disaffection with her gestures and graces. Apart from Morag, we can see that the newbies aren’t taken the game seriously though.

3.    What does the protagonist do for a living?

He’s a teacher.

4.    What are some of the values he considers are the most important in his lifestyle?

Honour, the rules, death and glory, the truth.

5.    In your opinion, what was the triggering factor to make the game go so wrong?

In the text there are several hints leading us to thinking that the newbies, the mundanes didn’t take the game seriously and didn’t follow the game values, as a consequence, they had to be punished.

6.    Are the newbies showing they take the game seriously? Why (not)?

Not at all, they laugh at everything and continuously complain of waiting for too long.

7.    Why does Smithy go berserk?

Because the newbies do not take the game seriously.

8.    Do you think they are repentant when they look at the fallen monsters?

No, it’s the side effects of the game.

9.    In the last line, Smithy is digging? What for?

Newbies’ graves.

10.  Did the ending surprise you?

(Your opinion)