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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 of the following is listed as Lester Ballard's lineage?

2. What type of fish is Ballard looking for in the creek in late summer?

3. To what does McCarthy compare Darfuzzle and Ballard squatting on the porch?

4. What does the blacksmith do with the axe-blade after cooling the metal?

5. Why can't Fred Kirby find his jar of whiskey?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ballard tear the head off of Squire Helton's cow?

2. Describe the man in the cell across from Ballard's.

3. How do people react to Ballard in the Six-Mile Church?

4. What transpires between Ballard and the woman he finds sleeping on Frog Mountain?

5. How did Ballard get his rifle?

6. What news does Darfuzzle give Ballard?

7. What deal does Lester Ballard try to broker with Fred Kirby?

8. Describe Lester Ballard.

9. What do the Dumpkeeper and Ballard do on their days together?

10. Why does the unnamed man in Chapter 5 (pp. 17-18) decide he does not like Lester Ballard?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Child of God is essentially a chronicle of Lester Ballard's descent into unbridled madness, stemming from his need for human contact. Write about the stages of his degeneration and what they say about him as person:

Part 1) Ballard's run-in with the Sleeping Woman on Frog Mountain is his first instance of violence against a woman. What transpires between Ballard and the woman? How does this reflect an essential desire within him?

Part 2) How do Ballard's numerous returns to the idling car with the dead couple illustrate a decision on his part? What does he decide? What has he realized about himself?

Part 3) Examine Ballard's interchange with Ralph's daughter, culminating in his murdering her. How does this episode illustrate his discomfort with human interaction and the breaking down of inhibitions to his violent sexual appetites?

Essay Topic 2

Child of God, while a violent and horrific narrative, contains scenes of bleak humor, centering generally on Lester Ballard's inability to function effectively in normal society. Write an essay encompassing three of these episodes:

Part 1) Examine the interchange that Ballard has with the Blacksmith. How does this scene reflect a rare occurrence of a mainstream individual attempting to relate to Ballard? How does Ballard respond?

Part 2) Consider Ballard's exchange with Mr. Fox at the grocery. How does this interchange reflect a general societal attitude toward Ballard within Sevier County, and is Ballard's reaction to Fox a microcosm of his reaction to Sevier in general?

Part 3) In Blount County, Ballard tries to sell three purloined watches to a group of men, who scam him. What does this scene say about Ballard's ultimate lack of control in the world?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the Dumpkeeper. This essay should be comprised of three paragraphs. The first should focus on his living situation and how it reflects a weakness of resolve. The second should involve his crimes. In what ways is he as perverse as Ballard? The final paragraph should be an examination of the enabling relationship that he and Ballard have.

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