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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 Earl Tod do before he offers Michael Rowen food and water?

2. Who does Michael Rowen order to bathe him when he returns home from Louisville in Play Three, The Homecoming?

3. What is wrong with the blankets Michael Rowen gives Dragging Canoe and Taskwan?

4. Which Talberts survive the attack on their home in Play Five?

5. Why is Randall Talbert running away in Play Five?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Patrick Rowen tell Rebecca in Play Three, The Homecoming, that his father does to his baby sister?

2. What does the incident with the train in Scene Eleven of Play Seven indicate about the conflict between the coal miners and the mining company?

3. What does the infected blanket Michael Rowen gives the Indians in Play One, Masters of the Trade, symbolize?

4. Who is the old man Jeremiah summons from the woods at the end of Play Four, Ties That Bind, and what does he want?

5. Why doesn't Joshua want the miners to walk out of the unsafe Blue Star Mine in Play Eight?

6. What kind of soldier is Richard Talbert once he gets to the battle field in Play Five, God's Great Supper?

7. Discuss how Tommy helps Abe get hired at the mines in Scene Two of Play Seven.

8. Describe Jed Rowen's dream at the beginning of Play Five, God's Great Supper.

9. Is there any evidence in the text to suggest that the miners and Andrew know that Joshua Rowen is underage when he starts working at the mine in Scene Eight of Play Seven?

10. Describe the mining incident with Mackie in Scene One of Play Seven.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What character flaws and strengths do you see in the Rowen family through the generations depicted in The Kentucky Cycle? Select at least three characters from the nine plays and discuss how these flaws and strengths help or hinder the characters in dealing with the conflicts in their relationships and in their historical eras. Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

The Rowen family's gold pocket watch is a recurring motif throughout The Kentucky Cycle. Cite three examples from the text of the use of this motif and discuss what you think it represents in each example.

Essay Topic 3

The Kentucky Cycle contains a number of instances of irony. Cite three examples of irony in the plays and discuss what you think the author intends to convey with each example.

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