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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. A medicinal property of the buckbrush is that of

2. Abbey says, after a million years of neglect,

3. We learn that Abbey was raised

4. The small cloud on Abbey's horizon is

5. The unexpected guests in Edward's new home include

Short Essay Questions

1. For what does the author seem to be searching by taking this job?

2. Discuss Abbey's relationship with the natural world as he watches the stars.

3. How does the author project his own sensibilities onto the doves that he hears calling? Why?

4. What is Roy Scobie's problem?

5. How does Edward Abbey seem "polemic" in his views about national parks?

6. Discuss how different the daily life of an pre-Columbian Native American was, as compared to the daily life of an American now.

7. What is an example of the primitive attitudes of Native Americans, as expressed by Abbey?

8. What are the two wild animals that Abbey has never seen in the Southwest?

9. Why does Abbey decide not to kill the rattlesnake under his doorstep?

10. What does Abbey mean by "pox vobiscum," and "swinish politics?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Desert Solitaire was first written in 1956, and reprinted several times after that. Abbey obviously added some text over time. Do a close reading of the section where Abbey describes the experience of noontime in the desert as a psychedelic experience. Are you able to "feel" and understand what he is trying to say? Is he, perhaps, suffering from heat stroke at that time, or is he disoriented. Discuss in your essay the kinds of literary tools Abbey uses to help us experience his story.

Essay Topic 2

In his chapter on exploring the "maze," Abbey encourages his friend, Bob Waterman, to hide from the draft board out in this country where no other human resides. Why is it ironic, or not, that this particular interaction takes place in the maze? Do a close reading of this chapter and determine whether Abbey has layered it with additional meaning and symbolism, and provide examples. Is Abbey a true patriot, as he claims?

Essay Topic 3

Abbey feels that cowboys and Indians primarily make a living these days by presenting their images to the curious in shows and mimicry of the old West. In a researched essay, determine the size of the population of cowboys in our country today. Were Scobie and Viviano part of a dying breed? How has the cowboy's lifestyle changed since Abbey's time? Do they still raise cattle in this part of the country? If possible, try to contact a cowboy who resides in the Moab area, and interview him or her about his daily routine and how modern technology has affected his work.

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