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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. How does Laura explain her ability to walk and speak in Chapter 3?

2. Why does Mad Sweeney want his coin back in Chapter 8?

3. What group of people expresses distrust of Shadow Moon at the bank?

4. What does Shadow Moon tell Wednesday immediately after Laura Moon leaves his room?

5. What form of mythical figure is Mad Sweeney?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Odin martyred?

2. How does Shadow escape captivity at the end of Chapter 6?

3. How does Shadow discover that he needs to go to Cairo in Chapter 7?

4. How does Shadow become acquainted with Lakeside?

5. What deal does Shadow strike in his Chapter 9 dream?

6. How does Essie Tregowen make her way to America in Chapter 4?

7. Why does Shadow leave Lakeside in Chapter 10?

8. Describe Shadow's temptation by Media.

9. How do Shadow and Mad Sweeney interact during their night of drinking?

10. How does Mr. Nancy look in the realm of the gods?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The new gods of the novel are perhaps Gaiman's strangest creation, being not necessarily inherently divine. Write an essay discussing these gods and their place in the narrative. Why are they divine at the time of the novel? What has invested them with their divinity, and how are they manifest on earth? Why do they want to destroy the old gods? In the end, are these new gods actually meant to be the villains of the novel? If not, what are they?

Essay Topic 2

In the character of Shadow Moon, Neil Gaiman has created a protagonist that, perhaps for selfish reasons, represents absolute loyalty. He demonstrates this through his commitment to Wednesday's campaign. Write an essay about this commitment, in three parts:

Part 1) Early in the novel, Shadow goes to extreme lengths to bring Czernobog on board with Wednesday. What agreement does he make with the fearsome god? How does this seem completely foolhardy? How, in the end, is Shadow rewarded for his commitment to others?

Part 2) When Ibis and Jacquel deliver news that Wednesday had been killed, does Shadow hesitate in agreeing to sacrifice himself to resurrect the god? Write a paragraph about his choice, focusing on the entreaties made by others for him to reconsider? What does he have to gain from this decision, and what does he have to lose?

Part 3) Write a summation paragraph examining Shadow's state of mind when he meets Shadow. What does he have to live for? Does he ever consider ending his own life? In what respect would death be a relief to him, and do you believe this affects the decisions he makes regarding Wednesday's war campaign?

Essay Topic 3

AMERICAN GODS takes place in all of America simultaneously, but much of its action is focused on the small town of Lakeside. This town is, in essence, the novel's main setting. Write an essay profiling the setting of Lakeside, focusing on three character residents and their relationship to the town. What is each resident's function in the town? Is this resident harboring a secret of some sort? Is he or she living with some pain, desire, or inner demon? How does this character react to Shadow's arrival in Lakeside?

(see the answer keys)

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