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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 makes Håkan's escape from a death sentence possible?

2. Håkan sees which of his own acts as an act against god?

3. The crowd in front of the jail pelts Håkan with what substance?

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

5. What action does Håkan take that causes him to acknowledge the comedy and thrill of the situation, while also feeling small, frail, and lonely?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Which of the five senses does Håkan most strongly associate with the presence of humans?

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

4. Describe an instance when a literary device is used in conjunction with the motif of violence.

5. For what reason does Håkan miss his first sign that he may be in danger when he reaches his first town since the killings?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What message does Diaz send within the pages of In the Distance concerning the theme of compassion?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Explicate the theme of hope within In the Distance. What is Diaz’s message regarding hope and how do you know?

(see the answer keys)

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