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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 turns Francis and Rosskam back in their rounds?
(a) An accident.
(b) A fire.
(c) A parade.
(d) A strike.

2. Who does Fiddler Quain tell Francis he’ll have to forgive?
(a) His baby for falling.
(b) Harold Allen.
(c) His traitorous hands.
(d) Himself.

3. What did Francis’ mother announce at Thanksgiving dinner after Francis was married?
(a) That Francis was abandoning her and the family for a trollop.
(b) That Francis was not welcome in the house till he had a son.
(c) That Francis was welcome in the house, but his wife was not.
(d) That Francis and his bride were not welcome in the family house.

4. How does the narrator characterize Helen after her relationship with Arthur ended?
(a) A woman without a home.
(b) A bird migrating to nowhere.
(c) A wasted legacy.
(d) A windblown weed.

5. How does Helen characterize her relationship with Arthur?
(a) He set her free.
(b) He kept her prisoner.
(c) He introduced her to herself.
(d) He squandered her wealth.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 6, how does the narrator characterize Francis’ emotions when he arrives at Annie’s house?

2. What does Helen say motivated her through her days?

3. In Chapter 5, why is Helen angry at Francis?

4. How does Francis characterize his mother?

5. How did Francis become close to Katrina Daugherty?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrative change in Chapter 5?

2. Describe the vision Francis sees at Colonie Street.

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

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

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

6. Why is Helen angry with Francis, when she thinks about him in the hotel?

7. How did Helen’s mother and brother cheat her?

8. What memories does Rosskam’s sex talk evoke for Francis?

9. Describe Helen’s relationship with Arthur.

10. How do Francis’ kids react to seeing him?

(see the answer keys)

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