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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 is the reason Grandmother says Misfit won't shoot her?

2. What does the Grandmother initially remember about the plantation?

3. Why does Jane Star say the Grandmother will go on the trip?

4. How many more gunshots do they hear from the woods?

5. Why does the driver want John to stay with his mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think that the Misfit cannot remember the reason he is in prison?

2. How is O'Connor's portrayal of a serial killer unconventional?

3. Why do you think the Misfit does not kill Grandmother until the end?

4. What is the significance of June Star tap dancing in the restaurant?

5. Describe Misfit's bad experiences as a child.

6. Describe the character of John Wesley.

7. In what way does Grandmother's death affect the Misfit?

8. Why do you think Grandmother blames Europe for Americas problems?

9. Describe what Grandmother is wearing in the car?

10. Why do you think the Grandmother tries to persuade the Misfit to pray?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a huge generation gap between the family members in the story. What are the differences between the generations? How does O'Connor show the difference between the generations? Can the family relate to each other?

Essay Topic 2

Study the Misfit's life. What is his background? What is his character conflict? What is his motivation to kill?

Essay Topic 3

O'Connor portrays the dynamics of a family in the fifties. What was the dynamics of a family in the fifties? How did it reflect life in the fifties? How is it different to families today?

(see the answer keys)

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