View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. John tells a story about a building project in a little abolitionist settlement. What was built?

2. Why does John Ames tell his son that he might be gone sometime?

3. How did John's first wife die?

4. What did Jack Boughton call John?

5. How old is John's son?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does John explain death to people who ask what it is like?

2. What are some of John's comments on water?

3. Why does John feel that his memories of fleeting incidents are so vivid to him?

4. What are John's thoughts upon hearing a waltz on the radio?

5. How does John view Jack Boughton prior to his coming?

6. What are John's feelings and descriptions of baptism?

7. What are the basic facts about John's first marriage?

8. What was Jack Boughton's first meeting with Lila like?

9. What is the story John's father tells him about John Brown's mule?

10. Describe how John learned scripture.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is conceivable that Jack Boughton and John's wife Lila have common traits. While John's descriptions of Lila are admittedly sketchy, discuss any parallels between these two characters, but also any significant differences.

Essay Topic 2

John's grandfather's personal belongings - specifically, the gun and the two shirts - can be considered potent symbols. Discuss what these items might be symbolic of, how other family members respond to them. Consider especially John's mother and father's response.

Essay Topic 3

In pages 202 - 215, we have John revealing parts of his character, especially in his relationship with his wife. Discuss those revelations as they deal with his wife. Look for any other summaries of the novel's themes as found in this section, and identify any points which point toward John going through a transition in his beliefs.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 704 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample