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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. Håkan mentally describes the sheriff as "the man with the" (165) what?

2. Which of Håkan's five senses alerts him to the close proximity of "civilization" (107)?

3. Håkan strikes "eastward as" what season again comes "to an end" (161)?

4. Helen is murdered in what way after being raped?

5. While most of the travelers in the caravan look at Håkan with "mute curiosity," (108) a few of them snicker at what aspect of his appearance?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the theme of grief enter the narrative when Håkan attempts to buy a certain item from members of the caravan?

2. Describe the way in which Håkan first meets Asa.

3. What method does Håkan employ once he decides to avoid all future encounters with other humans?

4. What act does Håkan describe as the kindest service anyone has ever done for him?

5. What does Hakan observe about Jarvis's reputation among the caravan's members?

6. What event leads to Håkan's first experience of an emotion "other than pain and guilt" (140) since the killings?

7. For what purpose does Diaz employ character foils within Håkan's period of captivity?

8. What characteristic of Asa makes a deep impression on Håkan?

9. What is the significance of the wooden dresser Håkan finds in the desert?

10. What item does Håkan attempt to procure from the people traveling in the caravan train and what is the outcome?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the function of Asa's character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by Diaz in depicting Asa and include in your discussion the reasons that Diaz portrays Asa in these particular ways.

Essay Topic 2

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Diaz’s novel In the Distance. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Diaz’s messages about guilt and responsibility within the novel In the Distance. Focus especially on events such as Håkan’s change from thinking about Linus as his potential savior, to seeing himself as the one who needs to find Linus so that he can protect his older brother from the big bad world to which Håkan has been exposed.

(see the answer keys)

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