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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 "Revelation," why is Claud visiting the doctor?

2. In the story "A View of the Woods," who gets Mary Fortune from Tilman's store parking lot?

3. In the story "Parker's Back," why does Parker say "long views" depress him?

4. In the story "Revelation," what does Mrs. Turpin say is "the worst thing in the world"?

5. In the story "A View of the Woods," how old is Mary Fortune?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In the story "Judgment Day," what is the only time that Tanner has "feelings of warmth" for his daughter?

3. In the story "Greenleaf," how does Mrs. May discover Mrs. Greenleaf's faith healing practice?

4. In the story "A View of the Woods," why does Mary Fortune attack her grandfather for beating her but not her father?

5. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," what draws Sheppard to Rufus Johnson?

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

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

8. In the story "The Comforts of Home," why is Thomas mournful that his father has died but "had not been able to endure him in life"?

9. In the story "Revelation," what does Mrs. Turpin say is the problem with farming cotton?

10. In the story "Judgment Day," how do Tanner's and his daughter's views on burial differ?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Because "Everything That Rises Must Converge" is a collection of independent short stories there is no one main character in the novel. However, there are some characters that seem to have a stronger presence than others. Select three characters you see as the main characters in the novel and:

1) describe the characters;

2) make an argument for why each is a main character;

3) describe what the novel would be like without these characters.

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

Essay Topic 2

Imagine that two of the characters from different stories were to meet. Write an essay describing what their meeting would be like focusing on how they would interact, what they might do together and what sort of relationship they might develop.

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

Essay Topic 3

Several of the stories in this collection offer a commentary on charity. Select three of the stories in which this commentary is developed and:

1) explain what the stories say about charity;

2) demonstrate how the author develops this commentary in the story;

3) respond to the author's commentary--do you agree or disagree with her? Why?

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,032 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample