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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 old is Poe in Book One?

2. What word from Book One refers to a temporary prohibition of activity?

3. What is Isaac's father's former profession?

4. Who is Harris's friend on the city council that is under investigation?

5. How is Isaac's physicality described in the narrative?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 discuss Isaac's journey in the narrative. Where does Isaac travel to and how does he get there? Whom does Isaac meet along his journey? How does Isaac's journey change him as a character?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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