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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. Who is Mark Van Doren?

2. How does Merton react to his first exposure to death?

3. What was his father building in St. Antonin?

4. Who is Bramachari?

5. What, in Part 1, Chapter 4, is noticeably lacking the Merton's autobiography?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was important for Merton to find in a teacher?

2. What is the significance of Bob Lax in the Epilogue?

3. What is the significance of a book Merton purchased at Scribner's?

4. What worries does Merton have about his desire to write?

5. What significant event in Merton's monastic life forms part of the Epilogue?

6. Why does Merton love the "fourth floor" at Columbia?

7. What are some of the errors Merton finds in the religion of Protestants?

8. After the death of his father, why does Merton consider himself to be a rebel in New York?

9. What are some of the internal struggles Merton faces in Part 1, Chapter 3?

10. Why might Merton have been embarrassed by his grandfather's visit to France?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Merton initially decides to join the Franciscans because Dan Walsh recommended the Order, believing it had an "easier" Rule than other religious Orders. Using what you know of Merton's personality from his book, discuss the influence other people have on his decisions. Support your answer with examples.

Essay Topic 2

Merton volunteers at Friendship House to work with the poor in Harlem, and he finds a sense of belonging among the people there. He says they "loved Christ so much that they seemed to see Him." In spite of this feeling, Merton ultimately choose a religious vocation that separates him from people. Discuss the reasons your think Merton made this choice and give examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Merton spends considerable time feeling guilty about his visits to bars in New York and what he does there. Why does Merton continue to do things he considers to be sinful, and how do Merton's repeated adventures in New York bars impact his desire to be a priest?

(see the answer keys)

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