Why does Phoebe conclude that the young man at the door is a lunatic?

Phoebe thinks that the stranger at the door is a lunatic because she likes to dramatize everything. Or, its part of her character. Her life is so prissy, and prim, and respectable that she probably tends to get bored and wants some excitement. She seems to find a story behind everything, though they often end up being a bit exaggerated and slightly unpleasant for the most part. Like the story of Mrs. Cadaver killing Mr. Cadaver, her story of the stranger being the lunatic seems irrational and far-fetched. The stranger just came and asked where Mrs. Winterbottom was, there was nothing peculiar about that, but Phoebe goes on to say that the poor man had gone mad. Its an absurd theory, but it seems that its in her character to be so startled and make such rash decisions. Her own mother seemed to be slightly similar too, telling Phoebe and Sal to call the police on the slightest of odd noises. Of course Phoebe might just see everyone that way-either uncannily perfect or a murderer or a lunatic.

Why do you think Sal is so observant of everything Mrs. Winterbottom does?

I think that Sal is so observant of everything Mrs. Winterbottom does is because she might think that the way Phoebe sometimes treats Mrs. Winterbottom was the way Sal treated her mom near the end (before her mom left). It seems to Sal that Phoebe and Prudence take everything their mother does for them for granted and never offer her any help. Nor do any of them notice that she is obviously crying and even attempt to offer any form of sympathy. Sal however, felt everything her mother felt, and is possibly surprised that Phoebe and Prudence don't feel any form of sadness at their mother's obvious distress. It might just be the way the Winterbottom family is built, but Sal's thoughts about the way they seem to behave to their mother doesn't seem to delighted.

Compare the Finney family to the Winterbottom family. Which family do you think is happier? Explain.

I think the Finney family is comparatively happier than the Winterbottom family. They seem to enjoy their day and look on the bright side, other than the playful bickering among Mary Lou and her brothers and cousin. They seem to help each other and take the time to laugh and think and enjoy their presence. The Winterbottom family however, are stiff and prissy. I am under the impression that Prudence and Phoebe are a bit spoiled. Their father seems too serious and their mother seems stressed about something. And yet, though it seems that Phoebe wants her family to be like Mary Lou's, she doesn't seem to make any effort to try accomplish this.