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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. Who does Bull blame for Ben's lack of a killer instinct?

2. Who does Sammy see at lover's lane?

3. What is Ben charged with after Junior arrests him?

4. Why does Bull restrict Ben to just bread and tea before the game?

5. On the night of Ben's first basketball game, Lillian gathers the children to do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Junior Palmer?

2. What is Mess Night? What does it mean for the Meecham family?

3. Who instructs the male students on sex during catechism? Why?

4. Why does Bull criticize Ben's play during his first basketball game? How does Ben feel about this?

5. What does Ben say to his father while taking him home after a night of drinking and fighting?

6. Why does Ben injure a player from the opposing team during a basketball game?

7. What does Sammy see at lover's point? What does he hope to do with the information?

8. Why does Mr. Loring tease Ben in his English class? How does Ben feel about this attention?

9. Why is Arrabelle frightened for Toomer in the aftermath of the rape?

10. Why does Bull agree to have one his men beat up a man in another squadron? What does this say about Bull's character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss abuse. What is abuse? What are the different types of abuse? How many different types of abuse can you find in this novel? Give examples of each. Who is the perpetrator of abuse in this novel? Who are the victims? Why are these people victims?

Essay Topic 2

Ben is man of the family in his father's absence. How is the family different with Ben in charge? How is the family the same? How is Ben like Bull? How is Ben different? Will Ben grow up to be his own man, or will he follow in his father's footsteps? How has Bull's early death affected the course of Ben's life? How might Ben's life been different had Bull not died the way he did?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Lillian never leave Bull? Does Lillian love Bull? Does Lillian condone Bull's behavior toward her and the children? Is Lillian an abused wife? List some examples of this abuse. Is Bull abusive toward the children? Why does Lillian not do more to protect her children? What does this say about Lillian's personality?

(see the answer keys)

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