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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. How does Rosskam demonstrate his strength?

2. What image does Katrina’s poet have of her?

3. What does Francis say his mother tried to do to the neighbors’ property?

4. Where did Helen plan to go after Vassar?

5. What pitch does Francis teach Daniel to throw?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of peace does Francis make with Annie?

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

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

4. What does Rosskam tell Francis about his sex life?

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

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

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

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

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

10. How did Helen’s father’s death change her life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is Francis redeemed by the events described in Ironweed, or is he left unredeemed? What obstacles to his redemption has he overcome? What obstacles remain? What spiritual state does Francis aspire to, and what does he do to attain that state?

Essay Topic 2

What is the genre of Ironweed? What type of story is it, and how does it resist categorization? What kinds of evidence does William Kennedy give you, as a reader, for placing the novel in a genre category? Using examples from the text, make an argument for what category of novel Ironweed belongs to.

Essay Topic 3

Ironweed takes place over three days: Halloween, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. What is the role of these Catholic holidays in Ironweed? What do these holidays explain in the novel?

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This section contains 1,031 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample