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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. When does Chapter 2 begin?

2. Who is waiting to see Father Schwartz at the start of Chapter 2?

3. Where is Father Schwartz when Rudolph Miller comes to visit him at the start of "Absolution"?

4. What does Father Schwartz realize he must do in order to serve Rudolph?

5. What is Father Schwartz first name?

Short Essay Questions

1. What object in Father Schwartz's room reminds him of "gruesome labyrinths" (1)? Why does he stare at this object in the first place?

2. What questions does Father Schwartz ask Rudolph when he says he has committed a terrible sin?

3. What made Rudolph uncomfortable as he sat waiting to confess at the start of Chapter 2?

4. What plan does Rudolph come up with at the end of Chapter 2 to avoid having to take communion at church the next day?

5. What does Father Schwartz tell Rudolph he should have done when he was in the barn with the boy and the girl?

6. What is Father Schwartz's mood at the start of the story? How do you know?

7. Why did Rudolph's father tell him he had to go to confession three days before Rudolph came to see Father Schwartz in his home? Did Rudolph obey his father?

8. What did Rudolph try to force himself to do as he waited at the confessional in Chapter 2?

9. Why did Rudolph stay and confess despite his urge to leave while he waited at the confessional in Chapter 2?

10. What does Father Schwartz do on Saturdays after confession? What happens as he passes the drug store that increases his sadness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Read a review of "Absolution." Write an essay about how this review impacted your own views or understanding of the story.

Essay Topic 2

Write a brief essay analyzing the title "Absolution." Explore the ways in which this title connects to the plot and themes of the story.

Essay Topic 3

Genre is a category assigned to a literary work. What are some genres that could be used to classify "Absolution"? What is the main genre of the story? Explain.

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