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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 Harris warn Poe to do when he releases him from jail in Book Two?

2. From whose house is Poe walking home in the beginning of Book Two?

3. How are Baron's friends described in Book Two?

4. In what town has Isaac grown up?

5. What is Poe's intention in going to the woods in the beginning of Book Two?

Short Essay Questions

1. What internal conflicts does Poe face in the beginning of Book Two?

2. What symbolism surrounds the murder that occurs in Book One of American Rust?

3. How is Isaac English described when his character is introduced in Book One? What are Isaac's circumstances in the beginning of the novel?

4. How does the theme of fatalism apply to Grace and Billy Poe in Book One?

5. Describe the murder in Book One. What leads up to the murder?

6. How is the character of Billy Poe described in Book One? What are his circumstances in the beginning of the novel?

7. How does the murder in Book One influence the characters of Isaac and Poe?

8. Where does Isaac encounter the teenage thugs in Book Two? What happens when he encounters them?

9. The theme of fatalism plays a large part in American Rust. How does fatalism apply to the murder of Otto?

10. How is Billy Poe's introduction to the Fayette Prison described in Book Two?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of secrets in American Rust. What are some of the principle secrets that are revealed in the course of the narrative? How is this theme developed through character? How is it developed through setting, symbolism, and imagery?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze the plot structure of American Rust. Where in the narrative do the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement occur? How traditionally structured is the plot of the novel? Would you describe the ending of the novel to be hopeful or tragic? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Henry English's circumstances in the novel. How did Henry become injured? What are the extent of his injuries? What leads Henry to kill himself at the end of the narrative?

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