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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. In Play Five, who does Ezekiel find hiding under the Rowen porch and overhearing his conversation with Jed about killing Richard?

2. In Scene Two of The Courtship of Morning Star, why can't the Indian woman escape?

3. What does Michael Rowen tell Earl Tod he does in Georgia before coming to Kentucky?

4. What does the prologue in Play Six, Tall Tales, discuss?

5. When Talbert and his men retreat to the river during their first battle in Play Five, what happens to Talbert?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Michael Rowen claim his life is like prior to coming to Kentucky?

2. How is Ezekiel Rowen's nickname of Preacher ironic?

3. In Play Four, Ties That Bind, why does Patrick Rowen seem to favor his younger son, Zach, over his older son, Zeke?

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

5. At the beginning of Play Seven, what is wrong with Mary Anne's son, Joshua, and how is Mary Anne coping with it?

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

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

8. Which Talberts does Jed let live when his family attacks the Talbert homestead in Play Five, God's Great Supper?

9. Why are Mary Anne and Tommy willing to take Abe Steinman in as a boarder, even though he is a stranger and involved with the union?

10. What is the significance of a wolf howl occurring both at the beginning of The Kentucky Cycle in Play One and at the end of the Kentucky Cycle in Play Nine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss symbolism and metaphor in The Kentucky Cycle. Give three examples of symbolism in the plays in this book and discuss what the symbols are used to convey.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Revenge is one of the themes in The Kentucky Cycle. Pick any three of the plays in the book and discuss what you think the author is trying to say about revenge in each one. Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

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