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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 "A View of the Woods," what does Mary Fortune tell her grandfather when he confronts her about Pitts' beatings?

2. In the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge," what is Julian's career goal?

3. In the story "Revelation," what does the teenage girl call Mrs. Turpin?

4. In the story "The Enduring Chill," why does Asbury not want to see Dr. Block?

5. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," why does Rufus not want the shoe Sheppard has made for him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character of Pitts in the story "A View of the Woods."

2. At the end of the story "The Comforts of Home," what does the sheriff surmise actually happened to Thomas' mother?

3. In the story "A View of the Woods," how does Mary Fortune react when her father beats her?

4. In the story "Judgment Day," what is the joke Tanner plans on playing on Coleman and Hooten?

5. What is the significance of Julian's mother's hat in the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge"?

6. In the story "Parker's Back," what inspires Parker to get his first tattoo?

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

8. In the story "Parker's Back," how does Parker change as the result of his tattoo of Jesus?

9. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," why does Norton commit suicide?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Select the story in the collection that you most identify with. Write an essay explaining:

1) why you selected this story;

2) what is significant to you about the story;

3) how the story reflects your personal beliefs.

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 past vs. present. Select three of the stories dealing with this theme and:

1) explain what the story says about the past and the present;

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

Then explain what you think Flannery O'Connor's overall commentary on past vs. present 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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