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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. Why did John Woodrow call Ruby a profane name?

2. Who is Jack's wife?

3. How does Jack react to Ruby's diagnosis?

4. When they had lunch in the Pitt's house, what did the migrant workers do?

5. Why did Burr agree to marry Tiny Fran?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Ruby plan to do to John Woodrow after she caught him cheating?

2. How did Jack plan to win Ruby over?

3. How was Ruby not like Jack's mother?

4. What did Ruby and Jack's mother have in common?

5. Describe Ruby's upbringing and why she was unprepared for someone like John Woodrow.

6. Describe John's courting of Ruby and how he presented himself to her.

7. What did Jack think of John Woodrow?

8. What happened the last time Ruby saw John Woodrow?

9. What land did Jack turn down, and why?

10. When Jack shot his gun, what did Ruby think of and why didn't she tell Jack?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Speculate on the nature vs. nurture acquisition of abusive behavior in:

a) Tiny Fran

b) Roland

c) John Woodrow

Be sure to cite evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 2

After writing fifteen chapters with Jack and Ruby as narrators, the author switches narrative styles in the last chapter to third person omnipotent. Explain why having dual narrators was not only beneficial, but critical to the story, and why it was necessary to switch styles for the ending.

Essay Topic 3

Several characters within the novel are either abused or themselves abusers. Select one character, either:

1) Ruby.

2) John Woodrow.

3) Tiny Fran.

Explain their roles as victim or perpetrator. Be sure to cite examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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