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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 "Parker's Back," what does Parker propose to try and encourage Sarah Ruth to look at his tattoos?

2. In the story "The Enduring Chill," what does Mrs. Fox believe is wrong with Asbury?

3. In the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge," why does the black woman become angry with her son?

4. In the story "Parker's Back," what condition does Sarah Ruth set for telling Parker her name?

5. In the story "The Comforts of Home," what does Thomas do for a living?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the black woman who sits next to Julian on the bus in the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge."

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

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

5. Describe social class from Mrs. Turpin's perspective as presented in the story "Revelation."

6. In the story "The Comforts of Home," what does Thomas' mother do to help Star?

7. 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"?

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

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

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

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

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 morality. Select three of the stories dealing with this theme and:

1) explain what the story says about morality;

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

Then explain what you think Flannery O'Connor's overall commentary on morality 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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