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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. When Hakan enters a city for the first time since the caravan ambush, how many blocks "down the avenue" (162) does the atmosphere change?

2. The sheriff announces that Håkan will undergo what punishment for his crimes after being paraded through the countryside?

3. What is the one commodity Håkan deems to be generally impossible to buy in America?

4. After leaving the canons, Håkan decides to build his shelter in what location?

5. How "many mornings" after the caravan boy's accident does Jarvis announce the caravan will be taking a "cutoff" (125)?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What skills inherited from Lorimer does Håkan put to use at the scene of the wagon accident?

3. During the period of time when Håkan travels with the help of a burro and a horse, how does he view his goal destination of New York City?

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

5. Why are the onlookers at the wagon accident at first unwilling to accept Håkan's help?

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

7. Describe the way in which Håkan views the event he consistently calls "the killings" (130) throughout the narrative.

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

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

10. In what way is the sheriff's corruption the key to Håkan's freedom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how and why Diaz instills three different humanist messages into the narrative of In the Distance.

Essay Topic 3

Look carefully at the passages of In the Distance that describe the close relationships between Håkan and his various mentors within the narrative. What is Diaz’s purpose for portraying three characters as different as James Brennan, Lorimer, and Asa in the roles of Håkan’s mentors?

(see the answer keys)

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