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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 is the decision made to back Willie?

2. What surprising twist occurs at Willie's next speech?

3. To what college does Gilbert send Cass?

4. How does Willie enter politics again?

5. Why does the Attorney General, Hugh Miller resign his position?

Short Essay Questions

1. What crisis is occurring in the governor's office when Jack returns to town?

2. Why does the author have Jack return home from California?

3. What personal connection does Jack find to Cass Mastern during his research?

4. What happens in Chapter 8 to make Adam want to resign as director of the hospital?

5. What startling fact is revealed to Jack when he goes home to see if Judge Irwin will use his influence with MacMurfree?

6. What was Cass' life like in Mississippi?

7. Under what circumstances did Jack's parents meet?

8. What is the author's purpose for beginning the novel in the way he does?

9. How do Jack's mother and Judge Irwin feel about Jack's association with Willie Stark?

10. What is it that makes Adam accept the position of director of the hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some psychologists might say that Tom Stark's indiscriminate behavior is a child calling for help. Do you agree or disagree with this premise? What do you think Tom truly wants from his parents? Do you think Willie is so permissive with Tom because Willy had to work so hard on the farm when he was a boy? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Who is the character with the most moral fiber in the story? Do you think there is one character who will not be manipulated or used in some way for personal gain? Is there one character, besides Willy, who will stoop to almost anything to get what he/she wants no matter what the personal cost?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's use of the literary technique of flashbacks in the novel. What is the purpose of a flashback? Is the information gleaned from the flashbacks sufficient to flesh out the bones of the literary framework the author has established? Is the technique of a flashback and the resulting flash forward disconcerting to the reader, even though necessary?

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