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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 is Larry's favorite genre of fiction?

2. In what town does the novel take place?

3. What lack does Silas feel deeply as he walks home in the dark from Larry's house the only time he goes there during his adolescence?

4. The vines and weeds encroaching upon the cabin in the woods are said to resemble what type of creature?

5. What are Cecil and Carl trying to do to Cindy when Silas intervenes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What had been the impetus for Silas and his mother's move out of south Chicago?

2. For what reason does Silas drive in the direction of a cloud of buzzards he sees in Chapter 2?

3. In what setting and era does Chapter 5 take place?

4. In what way does Franklin compare and contrast the respective vehicles belonging to Silas and to Larry?

5. What conclusions does Silas draw about the remains of a marijuana cigarette he finds in the grass at Larry's house?

6. What is the symbolism of the mail truck?

7. What details does Franklin use in order to indicate to the reader just how small Cabot, Mississippi really is and how it functions as such?

8. Describe the character of Larry's father Carl.

9. What reason does Larry assume is behind Alice's instruction to Silas that he should stay away from Larry?

10. What nickname do the people of Chabot, Mississippi call Silas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a critical essay about the novel Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how and why Franklin instills three different humanist messages into the narrative of the novel Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter.

Essay Topic 3

Trace the characterization arc of Silas’s character throughout the novel. Discuss whether Silas is a round or flat character and whether he is a static or dynamic character.

(see the answer keys)

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