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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 Teague's men argues that they need to bring in a living prisoner?

2. Who does Ruby suggest came up with the idea of celebrating Thanksgiving?

3. What does Ruby talk extensively about as she and Ada walk into town in the chapter, Source and Root?

4. What does Inman read about in the newspaper while in town?

5. Why does a neighbor have such a grudge against Stobrod that he often shoots at him when he passes his farm?

Short Essay Questions

1. Inman comes across a preacher in the middle of the night. What does Inman stop the preacher from doing?

2. What story does Ada read to Ruby? Which character reminds Ruby of her father?

3. Who attempts to seduce Inman by putting some sort of drug in his drink?

4. Why does Inman seek out the blind man and speak to him about the war and his feelings on being born without eyes?

5. What happens when Inman attempts to cross a river using the canoe of a young Indian woman?

6. What does Ruby believe is a waste of time?

7. When Inman stops to make corn mush, what does he smell that leads him further down the river?

8. What scene do Ada and Ruby stumble on on their way back to Black Cove?

9. What group of people stop at Black Cove on their way to Camden, South Carolina?

10. Who helps Ada after the death of her father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Inman and Ada barely know one another before Inman goes to war, but Inman is deeply in love with Ada. Discuss how courtship was different in the time period in which this novel takes place. Would a modern woman have waited for a man like Inman return from war like Ada does? Would a modern woman fall in love with a man with such limited contact? Would a modern man imagine a lifetime with a woman he knew such a short time? Did the war affect the affection these two people felt for one another? In what way?

Essay Topic 2

Homecoming is a theme of the novel. Why does Inman want to return home? What is he hoping to come home to? How does Inman see the rest of his life playing out? Why does Inman decide to return home early from the war even though he will be considered a deserter? What does Inman's actions say about his emotional health? What do Inman's actions say about his feelings regarding the war?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss slavery. What is slavery? Was the Civil War about slavery? In what way? How is slavery represented in this novel? What do the main characters think of slavery? Did any of them own slaves? How did slavery affect their lives? How did the war affect their lives? How do the two things compare as far as their impact on the characters?

(see the answer keys)

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