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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 Doc Burton observe about Mac and the way he is around the men?

2. What reminds Mac that Doc Burton needs protection in the camp?

3. At what time does Mac plan the funeral march to match the highest traffic time?

4. At the end of Chapter 10, what historical battle does Jim tell Mac to calm his worries?

5. After Dick believes he is spotted for vagrancy, who does he send for to replace him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Dakin call Mac cold-blooded?

2. Why does Mac decide against leaving Joy's coffin open during the funeral?

3. At the beginning of Chapter 8, what kinds of necessities are built on the campsite.

4. What reasoning does Doc Burton give for why he is working so hard for the Party but is not a Party member?

5. Who is group man?

6. What happens after Sam burns Hunter's house as retaliation for the vigilantes burning Anderson's farm.

7. What does the paper say about the strikers at the beginning of Chapter 14?

8. What happens towards the end of Chapter 9 that Mac is blamed for?

9. Why does Mac put Doc Burton in a tent with ten armed guards to protect him?

10. Where do the cows, bull calf, and lima beans for the strikers come from?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Violence plays a key role throughout "In Dubious Battle." Both sides of the strike employ violence, sometimes differently but, towards the end of the novel, quite similarly. Describe how both sides of the fight use violence and how their use of violence ultimately amounts to little. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Old Dan is constipated, delusional, and raving as the novel progresses. How is Dan a symbol of the collective group of men? Think about Doc Burton's speculations involving group man and mobs being infectious diseases. How does this reinforce Dan as a symbol for the strikers? Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 11, Doc Burton marvels at the mass of contradictions he notices in Mac, such as having "clear vision and rose-colored glasses." Point out and discuss these contradictions. Where do these contradictions come from specifically in the novel? Are these contradictions valid? Which side is the true Mac? Which side will ultimately prevail? Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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