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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 Lonnie not like?

2. Who smashes into Lonnie's truck from behind?

3. How is Hud the night Halmea goes out?

4. How does Lonnie help Halmea?

5. Who is unconscious on the floor in Halmea's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. For whom does Lonnie go looking and why?

2. Where does Granddad send Lonnie and Jesse, and what do they discuss?

3. What happens to Jesse and Lonzo, and how does Jesse react?

4. What does Lonnie decide about his life in the immediate future?

5. Why does Lonnie swerve off the road and what does Hud do?

6. What does Hermy tell Lonnie?

7. Who cooks breakfast for all the men and who is not there?

8. What does Lonnie think when he hears a shot and what does he subsequently find?

9. How does Hud act the day after Granddad's death?

10. What does Lonnie hear and what does he think?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Setting as far as place and time play an important role in Horseman, Pass By. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast several aspects of the setting of that day from how it would be today. Consider things such as cultural norms/expectations, technology, religion and medicine.

2. Do you think Horseman, Pass By would be different if it were set in another state in the United States, such as California, in that same era? Consider particularly the fact that Texans often have a strong identification as Texans.

3. What issues that are present in the time of Horseman, Pass By would still be issues today? What would no longer be issues? Consider such things as class, racism, alcoholism, sexual freedom, rugged individualism and integrity.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of integrity throughout Horseman, Pass By. Who seems to have integrity? Who does not? Why do you think integrity is important to the characters who value it? Why do you think some characters do not think integrity is important? What are some of the symbols of integrity?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of belonging. What are some of the symbols of belonging? What characters value the feeling of belonging? What are some situations, dialogue and/or scenes that reveal the theme of belonging? How do they reflect this theme?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of anger. What are some of the symbols of anger? Which characters seem to be angry? What are some situation, dialogue and/or scenes that reveal the theme of anger? How do they reflect this theme?

Essay Topic 3

Texas in the mid 1950's is fertile ground for racism. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research the existence of racism in Texas in the mid 1950s and analyze Horseman, Pass By for its accuracy and/or inaccuracy in its portrayal of racism.

2. Trace and analyze the theme of racism througout Horseman, Pass By. Who are the most obvious racists? Who are perhaps subltly racist? Are any of the characters free of prejudice? Who? Why do you say so?

3. Halmea leaves Texas for Detroit to start a new life. Research racism in the North and write about the type of racism Halmea is likely to encounter up north. Write a paper comparing racism in the North to that which occurs in Horseman, Pass By.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 997 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample