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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 Alan's father do for a living?

2. What does Alan bet all cowboys are?

3. Who used to ride horses every day?

4. Who was the king that never smiled again?

5. What did Frank hear coming from Alan's bedroom?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dora offer as an explanation for Alan's behavior?

2. What does Alan have to say about the things he said when he was under hypnosis?

3. What is the secret that Frank shares with Dysart?

4. What happened on the day that Alan had his first encounter with a horse?

5. What does Jill do when she sees Alan has a good feel for working with the horses?

6. What is the horseman's response to Franks' reaction?

7. When the Christian Cavalry first appeared in the New World, what happened?

8. What is Frank's reaction to Alan's encounter with the horse?

9. What does Frank think of the way Dora raised Alan?

10. Describe the dream the Dysart has at the beginning of Scene 5.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The relationships between husband and wife are also questioned in this play.

Part 1: Describe the relationship between Dora and Frank.

Part 2: Describe the relationship between Dysart and his wife.

Part 3: What do these relationships seem to say about marriage in general? Does the author seem to be making a statement about love relationships?

Essay Topic 2

The way Frank speaks in this play is very compelling, and almost numbing. This specific character seems to offer more than what the viewer can see in his actions.

Part 1: List three different phrases the Frank uses repetitively in this play.

Part 2: Why do you think the author made Frank speak in the way that he does?

Part 3: What are your impressions of Frank from the way he speaks? What kind of person does Frank seem to be?

Essay Topic 3

The power struggle between Alan and Dysart is evident from the start. This power is something they both want and yet want to give up, it seems.

Part 1: What are some of the ways both Alan and Dysart attempt to gain power in their relationship?

Part 2: Honesty is the one thing they both want from the other - why is this?

Part 3: Why do Dysart and Alan both need power in this relationship? What do both stand to gain?

(see the answer keys)

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