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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. Which of the following is not something that Chris groups in with the "loot" he took from the war?

2. How often has Ann written her father since he's been in prison?

3. Which of the following is not something Joe lists as being something people must do with Steve Deever to show them he is not a murderer?

4. How many times has George Deever gone to see his father at the prison before today?

5. According to Kate, what does Joe Keller do when he is worried?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is George's attitude toward the setting?

2. How does Ann break Kate's resolve that Larry is alive?

3. Why is Kate unwilling to acknowledge Larry's death, according to Joe?

4. What does Ann believe about Larry's fate?

5. What news does Frank Lubey bring to the Keller house?

6. What order does Kate Keller give her son and husband?

7. What did Joe think would happen after the faulty cylinder heads went out?

8. Why does Kate have to believe that Larry is still alive?

9. How do Joe and Chris view the world differently?

10. How does Joe feel about Ann's visiting the family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chris Keller is presented throughout the play as a mingling of strength and weakness. Write an essay on the topic of what hardships Chris can withstand and what seemingly small issues cripple him and drive him to tears. Why is Chris this way?

Essay Topic 2

Several objects in the play serve the purpose of reminding present characters of characters that are absent. At times they serve this purpose in a destructive way, stymieing the lives of those they touch and other illuminate the reality of life and free characters to move on. Write a three-part essay on the following objects:

Part 1) Larry's tree

Part 2) The hat George wears

Part 3) Larry's letter to Ann

Essay Topic 3

The tragedy of Joe Keller's life is driven by his realization that the world does not end with his family. His only impetus to do right is to do right by his wife and sons. Write about this topic in three parts:

Part 1) Joe Keller and his son Chris have two conversations about Chris' plans for the future. Chris is disillusioned by the individualism of America after the war. What does Joe want from his son, more than anything? How do his wishes reflect a lack of understanding of his son's world view?

Part 2) Joe Keller successfully lies to himself for three and a half years regarding his complicity in the deaths of 21 pilots. How does his attitude toward his family and the rest of the world make this an easy delusion for him?

Part 3) How does Larry's letter shatter Joe Keller's world view? What does Joe realize about his duty to the world at large that brings him to kill himself?

(see the answer keys)

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