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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 "Greenleaf," what concerns Mrs. May about her sons getting married?

2. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," where did Sheppard meet Rufus Johnson?

3. In the story "Revelation," why is Claud visiting the doctor?

4. In the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge," what does Julian's mother do to punctuate her statement that it is hot?

5. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," what does Sheppard believe is the worst fault a person can have?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the story "A View of the Woods," what does Fortune notice about the woods in front of the Pitts' home on the night before he sells the lot?

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

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

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

5. In the story "The Comforts of Home," what motivates Thomas' mother to help Star?

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

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

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

9. In the story "The Comforts of Home," what bothers Thomas about Star?

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

One of the recurrent topics in the collection of short stories "Everything That Rises Must Converge" is family. Select three of the stories dealing with this topic and:

1) explain what the story says about family;

2) demonstrate how the concept of family is developed in the story.

Then explain what you think Flannery O'Connor's overall commentary on family is in the novel as a whole. Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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