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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 do Anse and Jewel argue about in Chapter 24: "Vardaman"?

2. Who does the narrator describe picking into the secret shade with in Chapter 7: "Dewey Dell"?

3. Who is Tull talking to in Chapter 8: "Tull"?

4. Whose barn does Cash intend to stop by and work on in Chapter 24: "Vardaman"?

5. What does Vardaman ask Cash if he is going to do with the coffin in Chapter 15: Vardaman"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Jewel Bundren angry in Chapter 4: “Jewel”? What does his anger indicate about Jewel’s character?

2. What is indicated by Anse Bundren’s behavior after Addie’s death in Chapter 12: “Darl”?

3. How is Anse Bundren characterized in Chapter 5: “Darl”? How does Jewel differ from his father?

4. What is the narrative style of As I Lay Dying? Who is introduced in Chapter 1: “Darl”?

5. What is foreshadowed in Chapter 20: “Tull”?

6. What sentence comprises Chapter 19: “Vardaman”? What is the meaning behind this chapter?

7. What is indicated by Anse’s superstitions about moving in Chapter 9: “Anse”?

8. What is indicated by Cash’s detailed list in Chapter 18: “Cash”?

9. How is Cora Tull characterized as a narrator in Chapter 6: “Cora”?

10. What does "luck" mean to Anse Bundren?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the characters of Tull and Cora in the novel. What are Tull and Cora's relationship to the Bundrens? In what ways do the Tulls assist the Bundrens when Addie becomes ill?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Addie's death and its impact on the Bundren household. How does each of Addie's children cope with her death? How does Addie's death impact Anse? How does it affect Cora and Tull?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the character of Vardaman Bundren in As I Lay Dying. How old is Vardaman? How does this character differ from his siblings? What is Vardaman's relationship to his parents?

(see the answer keys)

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