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

2. What causes the death of many soldiers and others all across the country at the end of WWI?

3. What was John's mother's name?

4. When John's father sees his grandfather after his encounter with the Union soldier, what is the grandfather carrying under his arm?

5. Who was John's first wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the nature of the meeting John had with the church trustees regarding the church building?

2. Describe John's brother, Edward.

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

4. What is the significance behind the story of the farmer who was murdered with a bowie knife, and what does that have to do with John's grandfather?

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

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

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

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

9. Describe some of the events John and his father faced in their journey to Kansas.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

C. S. Lewis wrote a partial autobiography, "Surprised by Joy," in 1955. This same concept, of being surprised by feelings of joy, elation, or even peace, is a common thread in "Gilead." Describe evidences in John's life that show that many times he was "surprised by joy," and how this gives understanding into both his character and how he responds to various situations in the book.

Essay Topic 2

Compare John's relationship to his son to the relationship John had with his father. Discuss the similarities and differences. Was John sorry for the way he was brought up by his father? Does John have any regrets as to how he is bringing up his own son? Discuss.

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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This section contains 810 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample