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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 John find Jack Boughton and his son doing when he comes home for lunch?

2. How did John's father die?

3. In Gilead, what denomination attracted new people and young people after the Civil War?

4. What is the color of John's son's favorite shirt?

5. What did the tapestry in John's grandfather's church have written on it?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the preaching John's grandfather did after coming back from the war, and how it affected his listeners.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. How does John describe being in the world at night?

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

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

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

It is suggested that Jack Boughton might be a descendant of John's grandfather Ames. Identify and discuss any evidences that would support this hypothesis, keeping in mind any traits these two might share and how they are manifested in their two lives.

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