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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What sense does the first chapter end with?

2. What does the author think happens to our memories of people?

3. What kind of understanding did the author have of H.'s dying?

4. What metaphor does the author use to describe the strength of his belief of H.'s continuing existence?

5. By the end of the second chapter, what does the author think about human contemplation of God?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lewis describe as so tragic about H.'s "noble hunger"?

2. Describe some people whom Lewis thinks are having negative reactions to Lewis and his grief?

3. What does Lewis realize is the problem with deciding to think less about himself and more about H.?

4. What impresses Lewis about his realization of the man he had not seen for 10 years and Lewis's actual memories of the man?

5. Why can Lewis not talk to his children about their mother?

6. What does Lewis mean by the term "live" as it relates to H.'s memory?

7. What is one aspect of the supposed consolation that H. continues that troubles Lewis?

8. What does Lewis find so horrifying about the man he encountered who was tending to his mother's grave? What does Lewis's reaction to the man mean for Lewis's feelings about H.?

9. Lewis decided to record his reflections to get all his feelings and thoughts out. What does Lewis reflect might be a downside to his journal?

10. What is it about cancer that prompts some of Lewis' reflections?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

C.S. Lewis was a religious scholar. He brought deep knowledge to his reflections on grief. He also was familiar, prior to H.'s death and certainly after she died, with religious platitudes. Write a developed essay that covers what Lewis says he will discuss about religion and how he will respond. Also discuss what Lewis will not discuss about religion and what he will assume from that particular topic. Describe why Lewis distinguishes among these topics.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the different ways that Lewis considers God. Specify each of Lewis's characterizations of God and what each means to Lewis. With which, if any, of Lewis's characterizations about God does Lewis end the book?

Essay Topic 3

What does Lewis mean in Chapter Two when he writes, "Heaven is a state where 'the former things have passed away'"? What has passed away? What is the "Heaven" to which Lewis refers? What prompts Lewis's reflections on his desires to have H. back? Cite any quotes used in the text.

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