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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 does the author finally decide about the reality of death?

2. What theory about God does the author dismiss?

3. In Chapter Two, what does the author say is one more name for death?

4. Where is Jesus's agony on the cross recorded?

5. What does Lewis think people who grieve should do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lewis mean by the term "live" as it relates to H.'s memory?

2. What aspects of religion is Lewis glad to discuss? What aspect of religion is Lewis not willing to accept?

3. In what ways does Lewis describe H.'s "noble hunger"? Describe the ways that H.'s "noble hunger" displayed itself in H.'s approach.

4. What does Lewis realize is the problem with deciding to think less about himself and more about H.?

5. How does Lewis try to convince himself that he does not mind H.'s death? Provide examples of the things that Lewis tells himself.

6. H.'s absence is most evident to Lewis in his body. How does Lewis experience his own body in his grief?

7. How did Lewis feel years ago about a friend's life after death? Contrast that experience with the way that Lewis experiences H. after her death?

8. In what ways does Lewis reflect a mother who has lost her child can and cannot find comfort? For what does a mother mourn in that situation?

9. What does Lewis find so horrifying about the man he encountered who was tending to his mother's grave? What does Lewis's reaction to the man mean for Lewis's feelings about H.?

10. Why can Lewis not talk to his children about their mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lewis offers a passage in Chapter Four that is full of similes. Describe the passage, referring to the similes. What does the moment Lewis describes mean? How does it reveal Lewis's progression through deep pain and sorrow? What is noticeably different from Lewis's reflections earlier in the book, especially the first two chapters?

Essay Topic 2

Lewis must deal with his children as they all struggle through their loss. As Lewis tries to open up to his sons, he is confronted with their great disturbance.

1) How does Lewis attempt to communicate with his children? What topics of conversation does he introduce?

2) How do the children respond to Lewis's advances to build a bridge that connects them? Specify how Lewis interprets the children's responses. Give at least three examples of Lewis's impressions.

3) With what experience does Lewis relate his sons' emotions about their mother's death?

Essay Topic 3

Lewis reflects that people other than his children are having trouble coping with Lewis's grief. He describes various instances and impressions that leave him with distinct opinions about those who grieve.

1) Whom does Lewis encounter that he believes have uncomfortable responses to his obvious agony? Provide general as well as specific examples.

2) How do the people about whom Lewis writes respond to him? Be specific, detailing who and how they respond.

3) What does Lewis conclude about people who are grieving and their place in society?

(see the answer keys)

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