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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 does the blind man answer when Inman asks if he would like to be able to see for ten minutes?

2. Who joins Inman on his journey in the chapter, Exile and Brute Wandering?

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

4. Why does Inman become upset about Ada's reaction to his story?

5. Why does a preacher believe Inman means to kill him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who joins Inman on his journey in the chapter, Exile and Brute Wandering?

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. Who is Balis? What manuscript is he working on?

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

6. Who does Ada think of as she watches the piano moved out of the house?

7. What does Inman learn happened to the preacher and his lover?

8. What does Inman do with a saw he and Veasey find?

9. Who does Inman dream about after seeing a dark-haired girl riding a horse?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Ruby dislike Stobrod? Does Ruby have good reason to dislike her father? What does Ruby blame her father for? Was Stobrod ever abusive toward Ruby? Did Stobrod neglect his daughter? If so, why? Why does Ruby refuse to allow Stobrod around? Is this a punishment of sort? How does Ruby feel when Stobrod is shot? Does this change Ruby's relationship with her father? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample