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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 concerns Rudolph at the start of Chapter 2?

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

3. What does Father Schwartz tell Rudolph he should have done about the situation in the barn?

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

5. What does Father Schwartz do every night?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What sin did Rudolph finally confess to Father Schwartz after he "exhausted the minor offenses" (6)?

8. 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?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay comparing and contrasting Rudolph and Father Schwartz in "Absolution." What details help develop their character and what do these details tell you about them? What is their background? How do they know each other? How do they interact? In what ways are they similar or different? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the themes of entrapment, isolation, and longing?

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