The Seventh Most Important Thing

Arthur finds hidden meanings in Mr. Hampton’s sculpture, as well as the seven important things. What hidden meanings did you find in The Seventh Most Important Thing? Did you, like Arthur, learn from these hidden meanings? What did you learn (or not learn)? Site scenes or quotations where you found these hidden meanings.

Mr. Hampton says all angels are different, and their differences depend on their wings. Choose three characters from The Seven Most Important Thing. Based on their personality and character arc, describe their wings. Why do you think their wings would look this way? Support your descriptions with quotations from the book.

Arthur grapples with the idea of heaven throughout the book. Mr. Hampton’s idea of heaven sparkles and gleams. Arthur pictured heaven with things to fix so his dad wouldn’t get bored. What might the other characters’ versions of heaven look like? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

How might the theme of “One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure” relate to the theme of “People Aren’t Always Who they Seem?” Did Mr. Hampton “collect” Arthur in recognizing his potential? Connect these concepts to Mr. Hampton’s theory about angels appearing in different forms.

In Chapter 30, Mr. Hampton says he’s building heaven because it’s difficult and that many people have built hell because it’s easier. Why do you think hell is easier to build than heaven? Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Explain.

Chapter 32 is a nightmare where Arthur has to collect beer bottles to keep his dad from dying. Why do you think the author included this chapter in the story? What does the dream tell the reader about Arthur?

Mr. Hampton refers to Arthur’s dad as a good man in Chapter 39. By contrast, Judge Warner and Vice represent the more widely held belief that Arthur’s dad was a bad man and troublemaker. Compare and contrast the effects of these opinions on Arthur. How does Arthur react to each opinion, and how do these opinions change Arthur throughout the story?

At the end of the novel, it takes seven years for Mr. Hampton’s sculpture to go from storage to an exhibit. Why do you think the author chose not to have the sculpture displayed right away? What is the meaning (hidden or otherwise) for the seven-year delay? Support your stance with evidence from the book and its themes.