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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 the cricket coach handle the bullying toward Jeffrey?

2. As he drinks in Chapter One, what does Jasper reveal about his family?

3. Who is the mythical boogeyman of the town?

4. What punishment does Charlie's mother give him for sneaking off and his disrespect in Chapter Three?

5. What is ironic about Mrs. Bucktin's admonishment for Charlie to "show some respect for your things!" (99)?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways is Eliza similar to Audrey Hepburn's movie characters?

2. It is shocking that Jasper wants to hide Laura's body in the river. Does he respect her?

3. How does the use of allusions help to highlight some of the themes in Chapter Two?

4. Why do Jeffrey and Charlie spend so much time speaking in puns, especially those with a blasphemous tone?

5. Explore Jeffrey and Charlie's use of curse words. How does the author use their vernacular to help clarify their friendship and who they are?

6. What is ironic about Charlie's nickname for An Lu's garden?

7. Why does Jasper come to Charlie?

8. What is the history of the study in the Bucktin household? How might its current use a study create turmoil?

9. Why does Charlie debate telling Eliza (or not telling her) what he knows about Laura's death?

10. How has the search for Laura changed in Chapter Four?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Eliza and Laura Wishart end up facing two very different lives and fates, despite the fact that they are sisters. In a formal essay, explore the reasons behind those differences and why their outcomes end up very differently.

Essay Topic 2

It appears that the marginalized often strive to subjugate others even more than they have been pressed down themselves. Write an essay in which you detail such instances in the novel, and make connections between the characters who are the subjugated, and those who are the oppressor.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you detail the ways in which the Sylvia Likens case is similar to circumstances in Corrigan and to Laura Wishart's life.

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