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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. Who plays the most significant role in getting Little Tree back from the orphanage, thereby demonstrating the deep bond between them?

2. At church, how does Granpa demonstrate his belief about the importance of self-sufficiency ?

3. How does the author suggest that even nature is mourning about Little Tree's departure?

4. How does the author create sympathy in the reader for Willow John?

5. How does Granpa help Little Tree understand the seriousness of spending the money on the calf?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does the title of Chapter 18 foreshadow the events that occur in it?

2. How do Granpa and Little Tree continue to make sure that as much as possible is learned from Little's Tree loss in the calf purchase?

3. Give an example from Chapter 12 of how well the author uses vivid description to convey a picture of Spring to the reader.

4. In what ways does the author communicate to the reader the growing fear and grief experienced by Granpa, Granma and Little Tree at the prospect of their separation?

5. Why isn't Granpa interested in talking to Mr. Slick and Mr. Chunk about putting him to work on a big whiskey still?

6. How does this episode on the old farm symbolize both the cruelty and generosity observed by Granpa in his youth?

7. During an incident in Chapter 13, poor people on the farm in the clearing are harassed and killed by government authorities. What part does this incident play in the novel?

8. What purpose does Willow John serve in the novel?

9. What are the early symbols in Chapter 20 of Little Tree's excitement that he is home from the orphanage?

10. Write a short character sketch of Mr. Wine and summarize his role in the story.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Granpa is involved in the controversial whiskey trade and exposes Little Tree to danger by involving him in the activities associated with it. Explain the complexities of Granpa's involvement in the whiskey trade and comment on the advantages and disadvantages of his decision to involve Little Tree in this line of work.

Essay Topic 2

Granma and Granpa are towering figures in the life of Little Tree and they establish the power of simplicity and commitment in a complex and frightening world. Discuss the evidence provided by the author of the complex and frightening world in which Little Tree finds himself and comment on the role of his grandparents in establishing that simple family values and relationships are powerful means of survival in such a world.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout this novel, there is a constant preoccupation with the theme of man in relationship to nature. Using specific examples, discuss Forrest Carter's exploration of the theme of "man in relationship to nature" in this novel and explain with justification the extent to which this exploration is meant to be a lesson to the reader.

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