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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 profession does Joyce have when she is married?

2. Why is the Duke of York headed to its destination?

3. What nationality is Joyce's second husband?

4. Who is the man that knew Captain Hamilton's father and had done business with him?

5. How many living children does Joyce have by the end of "Somewhere in England"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to James Hamilton's father?

2. What belief did Hamilton's father hold concerning Christianity and slavery?

3. What measures did Hamilton take to prevent a slave insurrection?

4. How is "Crossing the River" written (in what format)?

5. Describe Joyce's life in 1963.

6. Describe James Hamilton.

7. How does Captain Hamilton reconcile his Christian beliefs with his professional dealings in slavery?

8. On what condition does the Army allow Travis to marry Joyce?

9. Describe Mr. Ellis.

10. What happened during the tornado in "Crossing the River"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

All the stories that make up Crossing the River share common threads though they fall across different lands and times. Choose one theme that runs throughout all the stories, and describe how your chosen theme runs through each story. You must mention all four stories, describing how that theme runs through it. Make sure you use examples from the book to support your answer. Your answer should be at least four paragraphs (one paragraph for each story).

Essay Topic 2

As in all the other stories that make up Crossing the River, "West" contains characters that perceive themselves as good Christians but are misguided in their actions. Compare the misguided Christians from the story "West," with a character from any of the other stories that has the same characteristics. How do these characters differ? Do you find any of them sincere? Do you see any "commercial detachment" in any of the other stories? Give examples from the stories to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Each character in "The Pagan Coast," such as the American Colonization Society and Madison, represents a perspective or theme of the time period. For example, Edward represents the white Christian's perspective of a person who owns slaves, yet pities them, so he tries to bring them up to his level by teaching them white civility. Explore two characters' perspectives or themes that they present in the story. Make sure your answer analyzes them in detail, providing evidence through the use of examples found in the story.

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