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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. To whom did Van compare Joy?

2. What did Davy offer in return for Van's soul in "The Barrier Breached?"

3. What does "second death" mean?

4. What emotion did Lewis praise in Van in "The Way of Grief?"

5. Why did Van go to Oxford in "Epilogue: The Second Death?"

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Van break "the barrier" in "The Barrier Breached?"

2. What did Davy keep with her in the hospital when she returned the second time?

3. Why did Davy bargain with God in "The Barrier Breached?"

4. What made Van think of the Grey Goose in "The Way of Grief?"

5. What does Van's poem about Halloween say?

6. What did Van feel when he returned to Oxford in "Epilogue: The Second Death?"

7. What was the Illumination of the Past?

8. How did Lewis respond to Van's first letter in "The Way of Grief?"

9. How did Van reflect on time in "The Severe Mercy?"

10. How did Lewis reflect on time in "The Severe Mercy?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Reflect on three examples of Lewis' writing in the book. Why was each piece written? What is the effect of each piece? How successful is each example of writing?

Essay Topic 2

What is the impact of Davy's illness? How is her illness symbolic? How does her illness develop Van at a person? What message does the author convey in Davy's illness?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Van's poetry. Choose three of Van's poems and discuss their literary value, purpose, and devices used in each poem.

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