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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 did Joseph do to the young man he and Robert kidnapped?

2. What sport did Robert play at Marion?

3. What does Helen say executions encourage?

4. What was Faith leaving to join the day after her murder?

5. How did Robert kill Faith?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Helen learn from the newspaper account of Robert's trial?

2. Why does Helen liken the pardon hearing to a firing squad?

3. How does Robert try to excuse his crime?

4. Why does Helen think that there needs to be restraint when it comes to revenge?

5. How does Paul Phelps excuse his role in Patrick's death?

6. How have Elizabeth and Vernon's life been difficult since the death of Faith?

7. Why does Robert say he admires the Aryan Brotherhood?

8. What do the public think about Helen's involvement in Patrick's execution?

9. What controversial views does Robert view before his execution?

10. How does Helen support her involvement in Patrick's execution?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In 1994, Tim Robbins directed a film version of DEAD MAN WALKING starring Sean Penn. Why do you think the themes and ideas in the book were still relevant 6 years later? How did the filmmakers adapt the themes to fit in with the new environment? How did these changes affect the meaning of the story?

Essay Topic 2

What is Helen's relationship with Vernon? How does Vernon help to balance Helen's views on the death penalty? Why does Elizabeth see her as the only person who can bring back his will to live?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Patrick barred from attending his own hearing? What difference would it have made if he attended? What kind of person do you think Patrick would have become if he was allowed to live?

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This section contains 773 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample