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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 does Griffin send Dan out to do?

2. Where has Helen Laski been spotted?

3. For whom does Fredricks work?

4. Who is Helen Laski?

5. What does Ralphie want to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Miss Swift upset about the Hilliard's house and what does Dan do about it?

2. What convinces Griffin to get ready to leave the house?

3. What does Dan convince the police to do?

4. While the convicts inside the house are arguing what does Chuck do?

5. What does Dan do after Robish opens the front door?

6. What does Dan tell Eleanor to do after Robish is gone and what does Griffin do?

7. What is Cindy doing when Dan and Eleanor are in their room?

8. What do the police know about Flick and what does Bard order?

9. What is beginning to unnerve Hank?

10. Why doesn't Dan want Robish back in the house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 2, Griffin completely loses his composure after Hank leaves and blames the Hilliards' comfortable life as the impetus for Hank's change of mind. Griffin especially blames Dan, who he likens to his own father with his domineering ways and strict rules. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Do you think the fact that Griffin blames the Hilliards for Hank leaving is just one aspect of his dysfunctional personality that leads him to prison? Discuss.

2. Many people, some criminal and other "normal" citizens often blame their parents for their problems. How much responsibility do parents have for the choices their children make as adults?

3. When is it time to stop blaming one's parents or upbringing for the mess one makes of one's own life?

Essay Topic 2

Chuck, Cindy's boyfriend, gets a gun and decides to sneak up on the house from the back and enter into the hostage situation. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Is it wise of Chuck to go into such a situation especially carrying a gun?

2. Why do you think Chuck thinks he would be of help? Is this a macho man act or is he motivated by his love for Cindy and by extension, her family?

3. Compare and contrast the actions of Chuck to those of Robish. Are these two classic examples of good and evil? Is anyone ever completely evil or completely good?

Essay Topic 3

Back at the sheriff's department, Bard explains that Griffin shot a policeman and he exited his hideout with his hands up with an evil grin on his face, which made Bard hit the crook on the jaw. Carson reminds Bard that that was inappropriate behavior, and Bard just wishes he had killed Griffin when he had the chance.

1. Do you think Bard is justified in hitting Griffin? Would it have been better for Bard to have killed Griffin when he has the opportunity? We only hear Bard's side of Griffin's encounter with Bard but have no way of knowing what prompts Griffin to shoot a policeman. If the policeman had been beating Griffin in a life threatening way, would that have justified Griffin shooting the policeman to save his own life? The fact that Griffin leaves his hostages alive suggests that Griffin is not gratuitously violent. How does this figure in with what Bard reveals about Griffin?

2. How often do you think the police go beyond the bounds of subduing a suspect and into the area of police brutality? Research incidents of alleged police brutality and give specific examples. What do think should happen to police officers who brutalize a citizen?

3. Is there any other better system to maintain order that would work in the United States in lieu of a police force? Discuss possible alternatives to the police system.

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