View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is Poe taken after he is booked and fingerprinted in Book Two?

2. What industry at the heart of the hometown where Isaac and Poe live?

3. Who among the drifters at the car factory is described as a smaller Mexican man?

4. What is Daryl Foster spraypainting on a wall when Isaac encounters him in Book Two?

5. Who among the drifters at the car factory is described as an old man?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What political struggles and conflicts plague Bud Harris in Book Two?

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

4. What takes place in Grace Poe's narrative in Book Two?

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

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

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

8. How does the theme of fatalism apply to Henry and Lee English in the novel?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of decay in American Rust. How is this theme developed through character? How is the theme developed through setting? How does the author employ symbolism connected with this theme?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the setting of the Fayette prison in the novel. How do the rules and morals within the prison differ from those in the outside world? How do Poe's experiences in the prison change him? Who are the major characters introduced at Fayette prison?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the language style of the novel. How would you describe the author's approach to dialogue? In what ways does the language style of the novel reflect upon its characters and themes? What are some examples of literary devices used throughout the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 878 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample