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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. Which character decides to stay with the Judge?

2. Who arrests the Kid in the tavern?

3. Where does the side showman keep his brother?

4. Which of the following characters goes to the Indian camp with Glanton?

5. What flag does Glanton tie to the Mule's tail?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Glanton and his gang use the ferry?

2. Describe the confrontation between the Kid and the Judge in Chapter 22.

3. Describe the argument between the proprietor and Jackson in the diner.

4. On what do the Judge and the gang leaders agree?

5. What happens between Glanton and the Indians in Chapter 16?

6. Describe the fight between the locals and the gang.

7. Summarize the novel.

8. How does the Kid survive the snow and the soldiers' onslaught?

9. In Chapter 21 how do the Kid and Tobin recover?

10. How does Glanton decide who kills the injured men.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What comparisons can be drawn between Samuel Chamberlain's My Confession and Blood Meridian? Which is the more accurate account and why? Why does McCarty uses Chamberlain's novel as a reference point?

Essay Topic 2

McCarthy has lived in Texas and Mexico, adhering to the rule that writers should always write about what they know. Do you think it is obvious that McCarthy knows his subject? What difference do you think it makes to the story? Are there any moments where you think McCarthy does not portray a character or setting so well?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the novel's violence.

1) Is the violence accurate to how it really was?

2) How did such an environment affect characters like the Kid? Did they become immune to the violence? How would someone like the Kid cope when he is back in normal society having seen so much death?

3) Does McCarthy representation of violence have a point to make about contemporary society?

(see the answer keys)

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