The Westing Game

Chapters 1-5

Reading Check

1. Sunset Towers (Chapter 1)

2. To Westing house (Chapter 4)

3. Sam Westing is dead (Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. The Westing house can be seen from the Sunset Towers, the location where the residents in the novel live. Fantastic rumors circulate Sunset Towers about the Westing house and its owner. Some say he was killed and continues to decompose in the building, while others believe Old Man Westing lives on a private island. It is said a couple of kids entered the Westing house on a dare and came out screaming. All one could repeat was the phrase “purple waves” while blood dripped from his hands, and the other fell off a cliff. The rumors create intrigue among the residents, and they warily watch the smoke and, on occasion, people wander into the mansion. (Various chapters)

2. Turtle, who suspects her mother doesn’t like her, antagonizes her sister and mother often. She criticizes her sister and mocks her sister’s fiancée when she sees her in her wedding gown. Dr. Wexler, Turtle’s father, notices marks on Crow’s ankles and knows they are from Turtle because she kicks the shins of people who touch her braids. Turtle is also the first to enter the Westing house on a dare. Turtle’s actions reveal she is both feisty and brave. (Various chapters)

3. Sam Westing is dressed like Uncle Sam in his coffin the day the will is read. Turtle is distressed when she sees her mother’s silver cross, a necklace Turtle left behind the night before when she took the dare to go into the mansion. (Chapters 4-5)

Chapters 6-10

Reading Check

1. Nieces and nephews (Chapter 6)

2. Murder (Chapter 6)

3. A snowstorm (Chapter 8)

Short Answer

1. Sam Westing gathers his heirs to play the Westing Game. The game involves the heirs being divided into pairs. Each is given $10,000 and given clues to resolve the game. The object of the game is to solve the mystery and win. (Various chapters)

2. Turtle believes Sam’s murder is a ploy to distract the players. She believes that if Sam was murdered, she would be implicated in the murder because of the possessions she left behind the night of the murder. Judge Ford suspects the murder is unlikely because Westing had protection. (Chapter 8)

3. The nieces and nephews of Sam Westing begin to become suspicious of one another, so they use manipulation and suggestion to encourage others to reveal what they know. Sydelle, for example, is seen with a fake limp and begins to flatter Chris, causing Angela to become suspicious. Sydelle becomes suspicious of Turtle and Flora for remembering a quote from the will, likely suspecting they may have stolen the shorthand notes Sydelle had of the will. Mr. Hoo has a lawsuit against Sam for stealing his disposable diaper idea, making him a possible suspect for Sam’s murder. (Various chapters)

Chapters 11-15

Reading Check

1. A bomb (Chapter 12)

2. Jimmy (Chapter 13)

3. Violet Westing (Chapter 13)

Short Answer

1. According to Mr. Hoo, Sydelle’s notebook was left in his restaurant. Grace Wexler claims it is of little value to anyone because it is gibberish. Sydelle reveals she wrote in the notebook in Polish. (Chapter 11)

2. Grace is initially obsessed with her wealth and self-importance. She wears fur to Sam Westing’s will reading and is eager to decorate her apartment so others will know how wealthy she is. After the game, Grace begins working as a server in Shin Hoo’s restaurant as part of her strategy to win the game. She seats individuals arbitrarily because she is inspired by the games. (Various chapters)

3. Judge Ford realizes that, though Sandy and himself are the only ones to meet Sam Westing in the flesh, in photos Violet looks like the resident Angela and Theo looks like George Theodorakis. (Chapter 15)

Chapters 16-20

Reading Check

1. $25,000 (Chapter 17)

2. Flora (Chapter 18)

3. Sell them (Chapter 20)

Short Answer

1. Otis believes James Hoo is responsible for the bombings and may have bombed his own restaurant as a cover. Crow, believing Angela is Violet Westing reborn, wants vengeance against Mr. Hoo because he marred Angela’s face. Mr. Hoo later gives Crow his insoles when she complains to Jake that his medical procedure did not fix her corns. After this, she abruptly changes her mind about Mr. Hoo. (Various chapters)

2. Sandy and Judge Ford discover Windkloppel—Grace’s real maiden name—is also the name of Crow’s ex-husband, which indicates they are related in some way. The information came from an interview where the interviewer’s name was Sybil Pulaski. The two believe Sam Westing accidentally invited the wrong person to participate in the game. (Chapter 19)

Chapters 21-25

Reading Check

1. “America (The Beautiful)” (Chapter 21)

2. Madame Hoo (Chapter 22)

3. Sam’s former wife (Chapter 22)

4. Sam Westing (Chapter 24)

Short Answer

1. Turtle confesses to setting off the bombs in the building. Judge Ford believes Turtle did set off the most recent bomb, but believes Turtle is covering for someone else who set off the other bombs. Judge Ford suspects Turtle may be covering for Angela. (Chapter 21)

2. None of the participants answered the puzzles correctly. The game warns that the participants have a limited amount of time before another person is murdered. Afterward, Sandy dies after drinking from the flask he asked Crow to fill. (Chapter 24)

3. Sydelle believes justice was served because Crow confessed to killing Sandy. Otis feels sorry for Crow, and Turtle is sad because she was close to Crow. Judge Ford suspects Westing—having been married to Crow—and believing Westing is responsible for their daughter’s suicide, wanted revenge. (Chapter 25)

Chapters 26-30

Reading Check

1. “Little Foot-Eze” (Chapter 28)

2. Westing Paper Products (Chapter 30)

3. Orthopedic surgeon (Chapter 30)

Short Answer

1. Turtle knows Westing has different identities—McSouthers, Northrup, and Windy Windkloppel—and she realizes his final identity is Mr. Eastman. When she identifies him as Westing, she wins the game. (Chapter 27)

2. The characters, often suspicious of one another, eventually learn to work together to solve Mr. Westing’s game. The residents, when giving their clues, do not suspect one another but believe the answers to the game are abstract rather than accusing their competitors. Even when Crow is suspected of having killed Westing, many do not believe it. It is revealed later that the residents are still closely connected to one another and share in important events such as Crow and Amber’s wedding. (Various chapters)