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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 Rudolph think will happen if he takes communion the day after he confesses to Father Schwartz in Chapter 2?

2. What word is used to describe how Rudolph felt about telling Father Schwartz his true sins?

3. Where is Father Schwartz at the start of Chapter 2?

4. What does Father ask Rudolph about the kinds of thoughts he confessed to having?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What words does Father Schwartz use when addressing Rudolph in the confessional in Chapter 2?

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

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

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

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

6. Who is Rudolph Miller? How does Father Schwartz behave when he first comes to his house in Chapter 1?

7. What "easy sins" did Rudolph confess to Father Schwartz in Chapter 2?

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

9. Who is Blatchford Sarnmenington? What happens when Rudolph thinks of him?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay examining the confessional as a symbol in "Absolution." In what scenes does the confessional appear? What is the context? How does this symbol develop the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing Fitzgerald's language style and word choice in "Absolution." What are some words that stand out to you and why? What words are repeated? What words are most impactful? Explain your answers.

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