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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What momentous event took place at Kibbee’s lumberyard?
(a) Francis slept with Helen for the first time.
(b) Francis and Helen worked together.
(c) Francis met Helen.
(d) Francis and Annie kissed for the first time.

2. What does Helen say motivated her through her days?
(a) A will to redemption.
(b) A will happiness.
(c) A will to power.
(d) A will to grace.

3. How does Francis characterize his ability to atone for the past?
(a) He says that the only apology would be to kill himself.
(b) He says that his life itself is guilt, now.
(c) He says that he can’t bring himself to apologize.
(d) He says that nothing he says means anything.

4. How does the narrator characterize the effect of Francis handling things from his previous life?
(a) Delightful.
(b) Uncanny.
(c) Disturbing.
(d) Redemptive.

5. How does Helen prefer to think of her sins?
(a) As slips.
(b) As fate.
(c) As decisions.
(d) As events.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long did Francis and Annie court before they married?

2. What dread does Francis say he associates with sex?

3. What did Helen’s grandmother tell her she would do if she loved something?

4. What did Francis’ mother announce at Thanksgiving dinner after Francis was married?

5. What literary term describes the jump back to an earlier time at the beginning of Chapter 6?

Short Essay Questions

1. What peace does Francis establish with the ghosts who have been following him?

2. What does Francis buy from Rosskam, and what is its significance?

3. Describe the vision Francis sees at Colonie Street.

4. Who was Katrina Daugherty and what was her role in Francis’ life?

5. Describe Rosskam and his environment.

6. How does Francis characterize the difference between Annie’s kiss and Katrina’s?

7. How does Helen feel about her life, when she is summing it up as she dies?

8. Explain the meaning of the attention Rosskam draws to Francis’ hands.

9. How is Helen’s death different from other deaths in Ironweed?

10. Describe Annie’s greeting when Francis arrives at her house.

(see the answer keys)

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