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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. What trait does Helen say her mother and Francis’ mother have in common?

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

3. How does Katrina characterize her relationship with Catholicism?

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

5. How does Helen characterize her relationship with Arthur?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Rosskam and his environment.

2. Describe the vision Francis sees at Colonie Street.

3. How does the narrative change in Chapter 5?

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

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

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

7. What was Francis’ mother’s relationship with Katrina Daugherty like?

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

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

10. How does Francis describe having met Helen when he was younger?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what ways is Ironweed relevant to contemporary readers? What contemporary issues are in play in the book, and how would the book contribute to contemporary discussion? Cite specific discussions from contemporary sources, and cite specific instances from the book that describe its contemporary relevance.

Essay Topic 2

Write a character sketch of the author based on his style and content. What values does he hold dear? What are his hopes and fears? What kind of person do you think he is? Anchor your sketch in passages in the book.

Essay Topic 3

Would you recommend Ironweed? For what purposes would you recommend Ironweed, and what kinds of readers would you recommend it for? What other book would you recommend that would cover the same material or tell the same story in a different way?

(see the answer keys)

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