Lesson 23 — Activity 1: Chapters 7 – 8

Chapter 7 of the novel gives us more insight into Chris's family, as well as more information about the work Chris's father has done to investigate the incinerator.

When the chapter begins, you learn that Chris's parents are worried about money, or the lack of it, as Chris's father doesn't make much money as a freelance writer. His mother has to travel 60 kilometres to work at her job at the nearest K-Mart store. Since the family is having money trouble, and because Chris is old enough to work, Chris's father tells him that he must now get a summer job.

After Chris's parents go to bed, Chris decides to do some investigating of his own. He begins looking through his father's files to find out what his father had learned about the incinerator. The research gives information about how harmful some types of incinerators can be to the environment and the health of the people who live near them. Chris discovers a letter of recommendation from his father to the director of the Regional Authority to look for alternatives to an incinerator. Included with the papers is a letter from the Executive Director of the Department of the Environment, Chris's dad's former employer, explaining that his contract with the Department of the Environment would not be renewed.

Chris's mother catches him going through the papers and is initially upset. She then realizes that Chris's intentions are based on his hope to improve the environment.

The chapter ends with Chris taking a file from his father's research papers to study and photocopy so he and Marina can have a better understanding of the situation.

In chapter 8, Chris and Marina take their information about the cause of death of the mergansers to the supervisor at the incinerator plant.

The opening setting begins with Chris at work at his new job — pumping gas at the Shell station.

While he is working, Marina comes to see him with the lab results about the dead birds. According to the report, many toxic substances were found in the birds. The lab suggests that the results be reported to the Department of Health.

Marina doesn't trust the Department of Health, due to her experience with her father's illness. She convinces Chris to go directly to the supervisor of the incinerator and confront him with their evidence. They sneak onto the grounds, and then get into the office to meet the supervisor, Ron Gibson.

At first, Gibson is willing to listen to Chris and Marina. As he finds out what they want to discuss, he becomes angry and tells them to get out of his office or he will call the police.