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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 Poe do to his car when he gets home in Book Two?

2. What does Harris warn Poe to do when he releases him from jail in Book Two?

3. What is the name of Poe's mother?

4. How old is Poe in Book One?

5. How did Isaac try to kill himself?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe the character of Bud Harris in the narrative. What is revealed about Harris's inner thoughts in Book Two?

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

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

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

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

9. In Book Two, the language surrounding Isaac's narrative begins to transition. What purpose does this transition serve?

10. Where does Isaac plan to travel in Book One? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the setting of Buell, Pennsylvania, and discuss how the setting of the novel reflects its themes. What is the economy like in Buell? What events have changed the economy? How have these changes impacted the residents of the community?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the relationship between Isaac and Poe in American Rust. How do these characters know one another? How would you define their relationship? How does this relationship evolve in the course of the story? How are Isaac and Poe alike? How are they different?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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