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

2. In the story "The Comforts of Home," which of the following is not one of the suggestions Thomas makes for getting rid of Star?

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

4. In the story "Revelation," where does Mrs. Turpin go when Claud takes the farm workers home?

5. In the story "Parker's Back," why does Parker begin getting tattoos?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Star's fictitious background in the story "The Comforts of Home."

4. In the story "Judgment Day," what is Foley's significance in the community?

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

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

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. Describe Mrs. Greenleaf's process for faith-healing in the story "Greenleaf."

9. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," how does Norton react when Rufus tells him about hell? Why?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the ordering of the stories in the collection and write an essay:

1) describing the progression of stories in the collection;

2) explaining why you think the author chose to order the stories in this way.

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

Essay Topic 2

"Everything That Rises Must Converge" offers a commentary on aging. Select two of the stories dealing with aging characters and write an essay:

1) describing the aging characters;

2) explaining the significance of their age on the story's plot;

3) explaining what commentary you think the author is making on aging.

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

Essay Topic 3

Imagine if one of the stories in this collection was missing from it. Choose one of the stories and "remove" it from the collection. Write an essay:

1) explaining the role that the story plays in the collection;

2) describing how the collection would be different without the story;

3) comment on the quality of the novel without the story--would it be better or worse? Why?

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

(see the answer keys)

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