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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 word from Book Two refers to a thing that is necessary for the achievement to an ends?

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

3. What did Harris do when he caught Virgil stealing previously?

4. Of what crime does Harris know his friend on the city council that is being investigated to be guilty?

5. Where did Lee attend college?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Billy Poe is officially arrested for murder in Book Two?

2. What does Poe reveal to Lee about the murder in Book Two? How does she respond?

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

4. How would you describe the atmosphere of the setting and characters in Book One?

5. What importance does the setting of American Rust play in the story?

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

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

8. What happens when Harris confronts Poe in the woods in Book Two?

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

10. Where do Isaac and Poe encounter the three drifters in Book One? Who are the drifters and how are they described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Bud Harris in American Rust. What is Harris's position in Buell? What is his relationship to Grace and Billy Poe? What actions does Harris commit in the narrative? Are these actions noble or dishonorable? Why?

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 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?

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