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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 the Child Protection Services worker on Robbie's case?

2. Who will eventually be a major witness for the defense?

3. What does Howard do with the money from the sale of the farm?

4. Where does Howard begin to have his lunches?

5. Who helps Howard with the girls and provides dinner in the evenings?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the sale of the farm affect both Howard and Alice?

2. What is Howard's interpretation of Alice's fleeing from the girls when they visit the jail for the first time?

3. How does Alice describe jail and why is it so difficult for her?

4. What information is Howard able to give Rafferty about Alice's past as well as his own?

5. How do Howard and the girls prepare to move out of the farmhouse?

6. How does Alice refer to her map of the world while describing her jail experience?

7. Why does Alice compare Howard to her father?

8. What is Alice's perspective on Nellie's so-called generosity?

9. What does Theresa tell Howard regarding her feelings about her and her life with Dan now?

10. What is the story about a dog and a tangled leash that recurs throughout the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hamilton is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony, briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 2

Explain Hamilton's use of regionalism in the book. Cite examples of at least two different instances of regionalism and explain why the author uses them where she does.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Hamilton use the setting she does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

(see the answer keys)

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