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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. How old was Mason Tarwater when he died?

2. What does Rayber say to the innkeeper that deeply annoys Francis?

3. Where does the first truck driver tell Francis he belongs when he drops him off at the side of the road?

4. Who buried Mason's body?

5. How long did Mason Tarwater spend in the mental institution before his release?

Short Essay Questions

1. What event at the science museum jars Rayber into remembering his own religious childhood?

2. What type of interaction does Francis have with the first truck driver that picks him up from the side of the road?

3. How does Bishop die?

4. Who is Francis' "stranger" who is later referred to as his "friend"?

5. Who is Lucette, and what impact does she have on Rayber when the meet?

6. What type of interaction does Francis have with the second driver that picks him up from the side of the road?

7. How did George Rayber go deaf?

8. Why was Mason Tarwater admitted into a mental institution, and how did he get out?

9. What is Francis' initial reaction when he meets his cousin, Bishop?

10. How does Francis prove his difficult nature to Rayber after moving in with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Mason and Francis Tarwater have an extreme obsession with the Roman Catholic tradition of baptism. Why was this ceremony so important to Mason? What message did he pass on to Francis about the importance of baptism? Then, describe Francis' personal mission to get his cousin, Bishop, baptized. Why did Francis think this particular baptism was so important? What methods did Francis attempt to get Bishop properly baptized? Finally, describe the events the lead up to Bishop's inadvertent baptism in the fishing lake. How did the baptism lead to death? What symbolism can be found in the parallelism of baptism and crucifixion in Bishop's case? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

The hat Julian's mother wears is one of great significance in the story "Everything that Rises Must Converge." First, describe Julian's mother's hat and describe her relationship to it. Why is this hat important to her? Then, describe what Julian thinks of his mother's hat and what his reaction is when he realizes the black woman on the bus is wearing an identical one. How does the hat become a symbol not for segregation, as Julian's mother intended, but for equality? What message do you think O'Connor is sending her readers about racial equality through the symbol of the hat? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Many of the characters in the story "Wise Blood" have extreme relationships with religion, and religion is easily corrupted by the characters of this story. First, describe the type of religion Motes grew up with as a child. Then, compare / contrast that religion to the religion he started as an adult. Then, choose one character whose life benefited from extreme religion and compare / contrast their relationship with religion to a character whose life was harmed due to extreme religion. In the end, what message do you think O'Connor was sending to her audience about religion? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

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