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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 does the Swede say about the nasty weather?

2. What does the bartender pretend not to notice?

3. What does Scully tell the Swede that he owes him?

4. Who pleads for the men to stop the fight after Johnnie is injured?

5. Who dominates the conversation during the meal?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author show that Scully has lost all reserves and control of his behavior after the Swede leaves?

2. What ensues after the Swede accuses Johnnie of cheating?

3. What is the Swede's fear about the fight initially?

4. How do the cowboy and Scully erupt after the Swede leaves the hotel?

5. What do the stove and the cardboard box represent in Chapter 7?

6. How does Chapter 8 begin?

7. How can the supper at the hotel be described?

8. How does the fight actually end?

9. How do the characters remain in their stereotypical roles during and after the fight?

10. How does the Swede's obnoxious behavior result in his death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is much symbolism in this story regarding the stove. What does the stove symbolize for the men? What does it mean for Scully?

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of the Swede. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him--if anything--at this point in his life?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the story. Why does Crane use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

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