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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. Tom recalls a time during his________ year when he killed a bald eagle.

2. Why does Henry buy the tiger from the circus?

3. What is the initial topic of Tom's heated discussion with Dr. Lowenstein?

4. During which decade does Tom begin recalling the story of his family?

5. Why does Tom tell Dr. Lowenstein the story of his mother's quest to win the Colleton League cookbook contest?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Lila want the children to tell their father about the man called "Callanwolde"?

2. How does the scene in the funeral parlor contrast with the rest of the Wingo childhood?

3. What is one of the benefits of Tom's extraordinary childhood?

4. What kind of family does the Prologue portray?

5. How does Lila react to the news of Tom's actions against Todd?

6. How does Lila feel about Henry's profession as a shrimper?

7. What does the robbery that Luke witnesses in New York show us about the city?

8. Who is the Prince of Tides?

9. How does the death of Rose Ann reveal the nature of the Wingo parents?

10. How would you describe Lila Wingo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is one character in the novel who plays a very small but powerful role in the lives of the Wingos: the name known by the children as "Callanwolde." What do we know about this persona? What might he represent? What role does his presence play in the larger narrative?

Write an essay that explores this character and analyzes how he exemplifies the pain and trauma in the lives of the Wingo family. Be sure to make clear and specific references to the text as well as literary techniques (symbolism, imagery, figurative language, etc.) as you develop your response.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the dramatic irony of Dr. Lowenstein's personal circumstances while treating Savannah. How is her own marriage and family an ironic counterpoint to the narrative Tom is sharing with her about his family?

Essay Topic 3

In 1906, George Santayana penned the famous line, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (from "The Life of Reason"). Does Conroy's novel support or refute this assertion?

Write a critical lens essay in which you interpret Santayana's quote, agree or disagree with the quotation as you have interpreted it, and provide evidence in the form of specific literary techniques from the text to support your answer.

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