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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 Katoub?

2. What does Michael want for Elias?

3. How do the scholars study the Bible?

4. How do the other seminarians feel about Palestine?

5. What is Elias beginning to understand?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the Beatitudes appear to Elias and why?

2. What type of study did Elias and his friend study at the seminary and how did Elias feel about it?

3. What did Elias begin to do after so many people were taken from the village of Gish? What did he believe about the situation?

4. What did Elias' father explain about the Jews coming to the town?

5. What did Elias see in Jesus and how did he feel about Jesus? How did Elias see his interaction with Jesus?

6. What did Elias realize about serving God as he neared graduation from seminary?

7. What was Elias's main struggle with understanding Jews?

8. What events of the 1960's colored Elias's view of the church and why?

9. Who declared Israel an independent state in May 1948 and then what did he do? How did the world respond?

10. How did Elias feel about school and where else did he learn what he considered important?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of violence throughout Blood Brothers. Include the following: Is any of the violence justified, necessary, or gratuitous? Is it motivated by greed, hate, revenge, or a form of projection?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of forgiveness throughout Blood Brothers. Include the following: Is it a realistic concept for this situation? Does the forgiven have to return forgiveness? How could true forgiveness change the Middle East situation?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of religion throughout Blood Brothers. Include the following: How does religion influence the actions of the people/groups in the book? Is religion generally seen as a positive thing to embrace? Can people of different religions live together peacefully? Is this demonstrated in the book? How? When?

Essay Topic 2

At a seminary in Paris, Faraj states that, "The real problem is that Western theology starts with man as the center of all things... Elias, we've grown up believing that God is the beginning and end of all things. He is central, not an afterthought. He's alive and has His own ways. Here, they want to tame God with their philosophy " (pg. 117.) Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Faraj's condmenation of Western theology is justified? Does it seem harsh?

2. What do you think are the cultural differences between Elias' childhood world and the Western world that might make such a statement true (if it is true)?

3. Do you think such a blanket statement if fair in this situation or in any situation? What happens when one generalizes about people?

What generalizations were there about Palestinians that were not either true at all or were only true for a small number of Palestinians.

Essay Topic 3

Elias' father's perspective is historical and he makes certain the children know their heritage. Discuss the following:

1. What is the status of Jews, Muslim and Christians in Palestine before the coming of Zionism?

2. What three principles does Michael Chacour instill in his children and how does Elias manifest those principles as an adult?

3. What advantages are there in knowing one's family and regional history? Are there any disadvantages? How does this knowledge help Elias?

(see the answer keys)

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