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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. What does the Union soldier indicate he knows to John's father?

2. How did John get a great reputation for wisdom?

3. What did John say he dreamed about after his visit to the graveyard?

4. What biblical character does John compare Jack to?

5. Why had John's grandfather come to Kansas from Maine?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe how John learned scripture.

3. What three things does seeing Jack playing catch with John's son remind him of?

4. Describe the moment of communion John experiences in the ruins of the burned-out church.

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

6. How does John describe himself as a younger man?

7. Describe John's brother, Edward.

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The constant referral to the relationship between fathers and sons permeates "Gilead." Consider these relationships: John's relationship to his own son; John's relationship to his father; John's father's relationship to his own father; and Tobias' relationship, however sketchy, to his father. Discuss each one of these relationships, looking for common traits, differing traits, and how each relationship contributes to the overall mosaic of the story.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses dialogue as a narrative technique very rarely. Discuss the author's possible reasons for using dialogue in this fashion, and why it is employed in the parts of the story it is.

Essay Topic 3

In the first section of the book, pages 1 - 8, discuss what expositional elements emerge. Identify and describe the thematic and narrative foundations found in this section and how these themes are carried through the rest of the novel. Select and describe what you think is the central theme of the book.

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