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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. In the story "The Comforts of Home," what is Star's real name?

2. In the story "Greenleaf," what had the Greenleaf boys done to distinguish themselves?

3. In the story "Judgment Day," what does Tanner pretend to do when his daughter is leaving for the store?

4. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," why does Norton spend so much time looking through the telescope?

5. In the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge," where does Julian say that "true culture" lies?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," how is Rufus' view of the night sky different than Sheppard's?

2. In the story "Revelation," what bothers Mrs. Turpin about the teenage girl?

3. Describe Julian's mother's hat in the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge."

4. In the story "Greenleaf," why does Mrs. May decide to have Mr. Greenleaf shoot the bull?

5. In the story "Revelation," what is the significance of Mrs. Turpin's vision at the end of the story?

6. Describe O.T. & E.T. Greenleaf from "Greenleaf."

7. Describe the "communion" that Asbury, Randall and Morgan take in the story "The Enduring Chill."

8. In the story "Parker's Back," what things does Parker say his wife does not approve of?

9. What does the narrator say is the "irony" of the way Julian has turned out in the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge"?

10. Why is Julian left feeling "guilt and sorrow" at the end of the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In any collection of short stories there is at least one story that readers do not enjoy reading. Select the one story in the collection that you think the author could have "done without" and write an essay:

1) explaining why the author should have removed the story from the collection;

2) detailing what the impact of removing the story would be.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Several of the stories in this collection feature mothers and sons. Select two of the stories with mother and son characters and:

1) describe the relationship between the mother and son;

2) explain how the two affect each other;

3) explain what you think the author is trying to say about mother-son relationships through these two stories.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

One of the themes in the collection of short stories "Everything That Rises Must Converge" is that of science vs. religion. Select three of the stories dealing with this theme and:

1) explain what the story says about science and religion;

2) demonstrate how the theme is developed in the story.

Then explain what you think Flannery O'Connor's overall commentary on science vs. religion is in the novel as a whole.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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