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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. Who is afraid to make the return trip after crossing the remains of the bridge in Chapter 33: “Tull”?

2. Who tends to Cash Bundren on the riverbank in Chapter 37: “Darl”?

3. Who analyzes the bridge situation methodically in Chapter 34: “Darl”?

4. Which of the Bundren children is Reverend Whitfield the father to?

5. Armstid says in Chapter 43: “Armstid” that Jewel Bundren went to get Dr. Peabody but he was gone to Inverness, so who came back with Jewel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is symbolized and foreshadowed when the family passes the sign for New Hope in Chapter 30: “Dewey Dell”?

2. What is indicated by Darl’s question to Jewel in Chapter 48: “Darl”? How does Jewel respond?

3. What symbolism can be seen in Jewel Bundren’s actions in Chapter 36: “Tull”?

4. What does Darl discuss in Chapter 57: “Darl”? What is symbolized through this monologue?

5. How does Dr. Peabody react to Cash’s injury in Chapter 54: “Peabody”?

6. What question does Vardaman pose to Darl in Chapter 47: “Vardaman”?

7. What does Vardaman think about the setting and situation in Chapter 56: “Vardaman”?

8. What implications do you discern from Anse’s introduction of his children to “Mrs. Bundren” in Chapter 59: “Cash”?

9. How is the timeline of the Bundren children described in Chapter 40: “Addie”?

10. How do Jewel and Cash Bundren differ in their approach to the problem in Chapter 34: “Darl”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How are each of the characters in the novel illustrated through the language that they use? How does the style of language differ among the narrators? How is the dialogue different from the direct narration?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the unique narrative style in As I Lay Dying. What characters are also narrators in the novel? Why do you think the author employs different narrators? Are any narrators more reliable than others? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the impact and symbolism of the barn fire in the narrative. What causes the fire? How is this obstacle overcome by those affected by the fire? How are the animals saved?

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