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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 Sister James say to Father Flynn as she leaves after their conversation in Scene 7?

2. What does Father Flynn say Sister Aloysius will not destroy?

3. What does Sister Aloysius say Father Flynn will do until he is stopped?

4. What does Mrs. Muller tell Sister Aloysius she doesn't want?

5. What does Father Flynn say is the message of the Savior?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Father Flynn say is wrong about Sister Aloysius contacting his prior parish?

2. What does Sister Aloysius believe about Father Flynn's resignation from St. Nicholas?

3. What reason does Father Flynn give Sister James for his not wanting to defend himself against Sister Aloysius' accusations?

4. In Scene 9, why is Sister Aloysius glad that Sister James went to see her family?

5. Why does Mrs. Muller say that it was Donald who was punished for drinking the wine instead of Father Flynn being punished for giving it to him?

6. When Father Flynn comes to Sister Aloysius' office in the second part of Scene 8, why does she tell him he can't come in?

7. In Scene 9, what reason does Sister James give Sister Aloysius for being unable to sleep?

8. What about the crow in Scene 7 reminds the audience of Sister Aloysius?

9. What is strange about Father O'Rourke's reaction to the gossipy woman's confession in Father Flynn's sermon?

10. Why does Father O'Rourke tell the gossipy woman to take a pillow to the roof in Father Flynn's sermon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does the author use the narrative technique of parables more than once in the play? What purpose does this repetition serve? Why is the play itself a parable? What characteristics of a parable does it have and what is the intended lesson?

Essay Topic 2

Several times throughout the play we see characters performing typical daily routines, such as pruning a rosebush, listening to the radio, or talking to a basketball team. Yet not a word in this play is wasted. Each action is meant to reveal something about the characters. Write and essay examining two routine actions seen in the play and discuss what they reveal about the character performing them.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of instances of compassion in this play. Compassion is displayed by characters we don't expect compassion from, and for characters we aren't certain deserve compassion. Write an essay discussing the ways in which compassion is used in this play. Who shows compassion and towards whom? Is the compassion warranted? From whom do we see unexpected compassion?

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