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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 Mr. Burris say needs to be done?

2. What does Lonzo suggest?

3. Why is Granny going into the city?

4. Why does Hud resent Granddad about Hud going off to WWII?

5. Of what does the state vet think the heifer died?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Lonnie while helping test the cattle and what does he do?

2. What do the men on the ranch do the next day?

3. How does Mr. Burris reassure Granddad?

4. How does Granddad come to marry his second wife?

5. What does the vet want to do to determine the strain of the disease and why does he want to do so?

6. What do the boys do after returning to Thalia?

7. What is Hud's response on the way back from the stockyards when Granddad asks his opinion about the cattle?

8. What is a tender scene between Lonnie and Halmea when Lonnie goes in the house?

9. What does Newt say about the dead heifer?

10. Who is Jesse and when does he arrive at the ranch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The readers learn in chapter 6 that Lonnie's father had accidentally killed Lonnie's grandmother (his father's mother) while trying to save her from a rattler. Later, in chapter 13, Hud shoots and kills Granddad. Discuss the following:

1. Define the words matricide and patricide and research several examples from literature or real life, discussing them briefly.

2. How do you think the accidental killing of his mother affected Lonnie's father? Can you see evidence of how this affected Lonnie as he grows older?

3. Do you think there is evidence in Granddad's character and behavior to demonstrate how the death of his wife affected him? What sort of evidence and how do you think the tragic events of the past influence Granddad in raising Lonnie?

3. In a sense, Granddad is Hud's father. Is Hud's killing of Granddad patricide? What do you think are his motives? Is it mercy? Why do you think Hud is cradling Granddad in his lap? If Hud was going to shoot Granddad from the time they find Granddad, do you think he would have sent his girlfriend for help?

4. Do you think Lonnie's father should have been arrested for involuntary manslaughter? Would he have been charged with that in this day? Should Hud be arrested for shooting Granddad? Would he be treated differently today? If Hud's motives were truly out of compassion and knowing Granddad would not want to live, is killing him different than what Kevorkian does?

Essay Topic 2

A clear and prominent theme of Horseman, Pass By is that of death. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly trace and analyze the theme of death in Horseman, Pass By. What are some symbols to represent death? Are there different types of death?

2. Discuss the attitude of the following characters towards death: Halmea, Granddad, Hud, Lonnie and Granny.

3. Discuss all the symbols and metaphors surrounding the theme of death.

Essay Topic 3

Often titles reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be?

2. The phrase Horseman, Pass By is derived from a poem, "Under Ben Bulben," by William Butler Yeats. Research this reference and discuss the connection it may have to McMurtry's book.

3. If you were the writer of Horseman, Pass By and your editor says the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

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