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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 sharpens all of the knives brought along by the hunting party?

2. Who is designated as the person who will follow along behind the hunting party and collect the hides?

3. Miller tells Schneider that one time he had been snowed in all by himself in what state?

4. Against which natural feature does Charley build the party's fire once they have set up camp in the valley?

5. Who momentarily decides to try to get back to Butcher's Crossing even though the party is snowed in?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Andrews's view of Miller change during the last hour of the buffalo hunt?

2. What are Miller's first words after the accident with the wagon in the river and what do they indicate about his character?

3. How does Andrews feel about the coming of winter and why?

4. What is the irony inherent in Miller's response to Schneider's request that Miller begin the hunt slowly?

5. After reading about Schneider's death, what instances of foreshadowing are now visible to the reader?

6. How do the men on the hunting expedition prepare their beds on the night before the buffalo hunt?

7. How does Andrews view Miller's actions as he takes the steps necessary to turn gunpowder into bullets?

8. Describe and analyze the intense clash between Miller and Schneider in Part Two, Chapter VI.

9. How does Schneider feel about the coming of winter and why?

10. Discuss the irony present in the depiction of Schneider's death.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within John Williams's novel Butcher's Crossing. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about John Williams's novel Butcher's Crossing while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the book.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze John Williams's novel Butcher's Crossing from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

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