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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 Jessie encourage Norman to do with the answer to #22?

2. The characters are _____________________.

3. Who is clearly Mrs. Maclean's favorite person?

4. What kind of personality does Norman's brother-in-law have?

5. What fact do the men not realize at the end of this day?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What favor does Norman ask of his brother, Paul?

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

4. What happens one night after Norman and Paul spend the day fishing?

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

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

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

8. Why does Paul try to avoid Norman?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Neal and Paul's alcoholism seem starkly out of place in the pristine region of the Blackfoot River area. Explain the irony of the personal angst set against this breathtaking backdrop. Also explain why personal problems can happen even in the most beautiful of locations.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the irony in the situation of the cook losing all his money after he has cheated to win it in the poker game. All through the story the cook has been rude and disdainful to Norman, yet it is Norman who finds the cook beaten and broken in an alley and gives him all the money he has. What does it say about Norman's character that he can rise above the difficulties he has experienced with the cook and act like a good human being? Would the cook have done the same for Norman? Explain your position.

Essay Topic 3

Do you feel that Norman is drawn to Bill Bell because Bill is a father symbol to Norman? Norman is seventeen years old and has his own father with whom he has a good relationship so why is Bill's opinion of him so important to Norman? Is Norman's age and inexperience a factor in Norman's feelings? Does he still need the approval of an older male figure, regardless of the circumstances? Explain your opinions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 687 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample