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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 is Old Rawhide dressed when Norman and Paul drop her off in town?

2. How do Norman and Mr. Maclean react after the tragedy?

3. Why is Jessie angry at Norman?

4. What do Norman and Paul see when they return from fishing?

5. What happens to humiliate Paul?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Norman and Paul escape from Norman's family problems a few days later?

2. Which of the two brothers is the better fisherman?

3. What is Reverend Maclean's second passion after religion?

4. Who goes on the fishing trip the next morning?

5. What do Norman's wife and mother-in-law finally realize about Neal?

6. How does Norman react to Neal's arrival a few days later?

7. What do Norman and Paul receive in the form of sermons from their father?

8. Why does Paul try to avoid Norman?

9. Why does Norman not remain to fish with Neal?

10. What do Norman and Paul find when they return to the spot where they left the car?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maclean's stories in this collection are based on real-life characters whom Norman feels are larger than life, certainly larger than himself. What character traits does Norman have that the other characters do not? Why is he just as important to the stories as the other characters he seems to admire?

Essay Topic 2

Norman and Mr. Maclean feel powerless to help Paul rid alcohol from his life. Explain what Norman and Mr. Maclean could have done to help Paul. What sources of support are available today for alcoholics that were not available at the beginning of the twentieth century? Do you think that Mrs. Maclean quietly tried to help Paul and ended up enabling him instead?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Norman find Jim Grierson to be such a repugnant character? What is known about Jim and Norman's backgrounds which may indicate the huge conflict in their personalities? Jim is probably intelligent because he reads all the time and he is crafty enough to make extra money, so where is the disconnect for Norman as far as Jim is concerned? Support your answer with examples.

(see the answer keys)

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