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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 NOT a characteristic named by Andy when he tells the reader why he had liked Neal upon their first meeting?

2. In what month of 2007 does Ben's murder take place?

3. When he is arrested, Jacob will only say one phrase over and over. What is it?

4. Ten days after Ben's murder, hundreds of volunteers gather at which park?

5. What decision is made regarding whether Jacob will testify at trial or not?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the ways in which Laurie changes as a result of Jacob's indictment.

2. What qualities of Jonathan Klein's does Andy find reassuring?

3. What happens when Andy and Laurie confront Jacob about the knife Andy found in Jacob's room?

4. What qualities of Andy's character are revealed in the moment when Jacob learns about his grandfather's and great-grandfather's violent histories?

5. What action does Dan Rifkin take against Andy once Jacob comes under suspicion?

6. What is Jacob's explanation for the most damning clue in the murder case?

7. Who is Duffy and how does Andy feel about him?

8. What is the clue that points most markedly to Jacob's involvement in Ben's murder?

9. What is the symbolism of the look of distaste on Laurie's face when Andy takes her hand in the courthouse elevator?

10. How is the theme of deception depicted within Andy's conversation with Sarah in Chapter 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the novel's message concerning violence and the human condition?

Essay Topic 2

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within William Landay's novel Defending Jacob.

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about the novel while using the critical power theory lens of psychoanalytical theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim combining research about applying psychoanalytical theory to a text with concrete details from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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