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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 Misfit talk to Grandmother about when they are alone?

2. What is the name of Grandmother's cat?

3. What does Misfit continue to do when he hears the two gun shots?

4. What does John want to sneak inside the house?

5. Where is the Misfit's father buried?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Grandmother so delighted that the Misfit suddenly shows an interest in Jesus?

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

3. In what way does O'Connor present the Grandmother as no better than the Misfit?

4. Do you think Grandmother is really that worried about meeting the Misfit in Florida?

5. Why were the fifties such an important transitional period?

6. Why do you think Bailey has such a negative attitude towards his mother?

7. Does O'Connor give Misfit some redeeming qualities?

8. In what does the Grandmothers death force the Misfit to reexamine his life of crime?

9. In what way does Grandmother manipulate Bailey to visit the plantation?

10. Describe Misfit's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

O'Connor does not give either the mother or Grandmother real names. What is the reason O'Connor does not give them names? Why do you think only the female characters do not have names?

Essay Topic 2

Why do you think O'Connor portrays the family members, including the main character, so negatively? What impact does it have on the story's meaning? How did you feel about their deaths?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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