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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 is Lucy's model of male excellence?

2. How and when did Papa die?

3. What happens to Russell's mother at the age of eighty?

4. In his first job, for what company does Russell work?

5. While his bully was Irish, Russell's friends were ______.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is "powwowing"?

2. Where has Russell and his family gone to celebrate the hog-butchering season?

3. Explain the family's long lost fortune.

4. What remedy does Aunt Pat insist is good for the children, but they find disgusting?

5. What did Lucy Elizabeth feel was her greatest failure with Benjamin?

6. How does the author describe his mother's attitude toward men?

7. Since he is unable to talk with his ailing mother, what does Russell realize about the past?

8. When does Russell decide to become a writer?

9. To whom does Lucy "give up" Audrey?

10. Who is Aunt Pat and why is Russell fond of her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though the novel is written by Russell, Lucy plays a huge role throughout the work. Who do you think is the novel's main character, Russell or Lucy? Be sure to examine the story's plot and style before coming to a decision. Be prepared to support your answer with textually based arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Reexamine Chapter 9. How could the Dickens quote "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" be applicable to the family's life? Be sure to think about:

1) Money

2) Home

3) Happiness

4) Work

Essay Topic 3

Examine Lucy's letters to and from Oluf. Though Russell did not discover these letters until later in life, they represent an important part of Lucy's history. Go through each letter provided in the text and make a chronicle of the relationship between Lucy and Oluf--what would such a relationship have meant to her? Why must the two break off the romance? Does young Russell notice anything amiss in their day to day life? Be sure to cite quotations from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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