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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. According to Ike, which region's notions have come to dominate America as a whole?

2. How old is the young boy when his true name is finally revealed to the readers?

3. Why does the tall convict consider escaping prison for the first time in his life?

4. How long does Sam cling to life before he finally dies?

5. Which of the following characters is considered to be an alcoholic?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Ike runs into Boon one last time in the woods?

2. Who is Ash?

3. Who finally sells the land on which the hunting camp once stood?

4. How old is the young boy at the opening of the story, "The Bear", and what is he waiting to do?

5. Why must the convict and Cajun man eventually part ways?

6. What type of relationship do Boon and Ike have?

7. How did Ash attempt to outshine Ike as children, and what was the result of his attempt?

8. What happens when the convict meets the woman of his dreams at a refugee camp?

9. What do the hunters do to pass the time when they are bored on their hunting trips?

10. How is Old Ben killed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In both of the stories, "The Old Man" and "Spotted Horses", the stories explore the role the law plays in the common folks' lives. First, explain what role the law (police) plays in the lives of the characters in "Spotted Horses" and compare / contrast that to the role the law plays in the story "The Old Man". Then, choose one character whose life you think was bettered by the intrusion of the law in their problems and compare / contrast that to one character whose life you think was ruined by the law interfering with their problems. At the end of the day, what message do you think Faulkner is trying to send his readers about the intrusion of the law in our everyday lives?

Essay Topic 2

In the story "Spotted Horses", money becomes a central theme to understanding the relationships in the town. Henry Armstid's money cycles into many characters' hands. First, explain the chain of hand-offs of Henry Armstid's money. Why did the money change hands so many times? Then, explain where the money ended up at the close of the story. Finally, explain what financial state the Armstid family was in at the end of the story and why this state is significant to understanding the message of "Spotted Horses".

Essay Topic 3

In the opening of "The Old Man", the readers meet two convicts that are serving time for various crimes. First, describe the crimes of the fat convict and compare / contrast those crimes with the crimes of the tall convict. What is the same about their crimes? What is different? Then, explain why each of these men is actually in prison and what their reactions to their sentences are. What message do you think Faulkner is sending his readers about guilt and punishment through the example of these two convicts?

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