A Piece of Steak

Tom King blames his defeat at the hands of Sandel on the absence of a piece of steak, but would he have won the fight if he’d eaten meat? Or was “Youth” always going to “be served”?

Describe one of the metaphors the story uses. What is its significance?

In real life, what are some spheres in which youth is a burden rather than a benefit? How is this different from the world of boxing?

Naturalist writers like Jack London believed that environment determines and dictates character. How does Tom’s environment influence him?

What is Tom’s strategy in the ring? Could it ever work?

Tom eats the small food he has while sending his children to bed without dinner. Is Tom selfish? Why or why not?

“A Piece of Meat” goes into great detail describing male bodies. Why? What does the story say about them?

Is Sandel fated to end up like Tom just as Tom ends up like Stowsher Bill? What could allow him to break the cycle, and is he capable of doing so?