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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 were prisoners prevented from doing after the revolt, according to John?

2. What does John say commenced after Garth's death?

3. When does Robby show up in Laramie?

4. How does John say he tries to treat the prisoners?

5. What does John say Garth's status was, in the neighborhood?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does John characterize the prisoners?

2. How does John say Robby changed his mother?

3. Why was Robby expelled from high school in 1968?

4. How does John characterize the significance of Robby's birthday?

5. Describe the style and format of 'Brothers and Keepers'.

6. How does John say he and his family are treated at the penitentiary?

7. Who is Garth, and what was his importance in Robby's life?

8. In what way is John on the run as much as Robby is?

9. How does John describe his and his siblings' background?

10. How does John say he and his family act after visiting the prison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is the ideal audience for "Brothers and Keepers"? What kinds of lessons does it teach, and what kind of life and ideas does it describe? Who would this account appeal to? What kinds of courses would this book be perfect for? Where else could it be added to a curriculum?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast John and Robby's attitudes about money. How are they similar? How are they different? How did John change from the ghetto mentality about money to something else?

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of the women in "Brothers and Keepers", and how would the action and ideas in the book be portrayed differently if they were described from a woman's perspective? How would John's mother, or Judy, or Tanya, tell this story? How does John include their point of view?

(see the answer keys)

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