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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 type of animal does the convict compare the newborn baby to?

2. What does the convict want to take aboard the gruff man's boat that is not allowed?

3. What is Eck's expectation when he enters the court to defend himself against Tull?

4. Which of the following adjectives does Hipps use to describe the temperament of his wild horses?

5. What part of Hipps' clothing outfit is split in half by a wild horse during the auction?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Eck's horse comes into contact with the Littlejohn house?

2. What reaction does Doctor Varner have to the news that there has been a wild horse stampede in town?

3. Why does Henry get into a shouting match with his wife at the horse auction?

4. What is Ratcliff's reaction to Hipps' arrival in Mississippi?

5. What happens when the boat overturns that the tall and fat convicts are paddling down the river?

6. Why does Snopes end up with five dollars in his hand at the end of the auction?

7. Why is Tull outraged with the decision about his case in the courtroom?

8. What story does the tall convict tell the fat convict about his intentions while away from prison?

9. In addition to the case brought up against Snopes, what other charges were pressed in the Mississippi town after the wild horse stampede?

10. What crime did the fat convict plead guilty to in court, and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novels, "The Bear" and "The Old Man", Faulkner chooses to employ protagonists that are sparsely described, even ambiguous in character. Choose one of the ambiguously described characters from this collection and describe what the reader knows about the character from the text. Then, argue whether or not the vague description of the character is effective and why. What message do you think Faulkner is sending to the audience through his sparse use of detail? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

In the story, "The Bear", the land itself holds great significance to many of the characters in the story. Choose one character from the story and describe their relationship with the land. Where did this character learn their relationship to/with the land? How does their relationship with the land affect this character's actions and motivations throughout the story? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Halfway through the story, "The Bear", Faulkner completely changes his use of grammar and punctuation. First, describe the narrative style Faulkner employs in the first half of the novel and compare / contrast that to the narrative style he employs in the second half of the novel. What prompts the change in Faulkner's writing style halfway through the novel? What is accomplished by this change is style? What is lost? In the end, do you think the change in narrative style was effective, or successful? Why or why not? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

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