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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. When was John born?

2. John writes to his son, saying, "One great benefit of a religious vocation is that it helps you ..."

3. If John lives, who does he say he will vote for?

4. What does John state he remembers instead of grief and loneliness?

5. Who does John feel that his son is very much like?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of John's impressions of Tobias and his son?

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

3. What does John learn about his grandfather and his encounter with a Union soldier?

4. What are John's feelings about baseball, and what incidents contributed to those feelings?

5. What are some of the key aspects of John's life that he recounts to his son?

6. What is the contrast between John's father and his grandfather's views on war?

7. According to John, what are some of the strangest things about being in the ministry?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

John seems to harbor some resentment to the fact that he is Jack Boughton's namesake. Discuss why this is the case, how this resentment manifests itself, and how he deals with the responsibility of helping forge Jack's character.

Essay Topic 2

John is a pastor, as was his father and grandfather before him. The pastorate is obviously linked to the church, and more often than not, the church is identified with a building. Discuss how the church building is a metaphor of the limitations placed on the three generations of Ames men, and how the aging church building in the book is tied to the state we find John in.

Essay Topic 3

Christianity and interpretations of the bible play an important role in the book's actions and themes. Discuss whether or not unfamiliarity with the bible is a handicap in understanding Gilead. Consider whether or not this is a "religious" book, and defend your answer. Discuss whether the book would appeal to or be a turn-off to someone with little or no interest in religion, and why.

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