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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 does Jayber learn about Troy?

2. By the 1960s, Jayber feels that the world has become ___________________.

3. What does Jayber feel for Mattie?

4. How does Jayber recall Athey Keith as being?

5. Who is the black woman who raised Athey Keith?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the sad circumstances that allow Jayber to spend more time with Mattie?

2. How does Jayber adjust to the changing world in the 1960s?

3. What does Jayber consider to be the biggest difference between Troy and Mattie?

4. What is the deep attraction that Jayber has for Mattie?

5. How does the author use the technique of foreshadowing regarding Jimmy?

6. How does the author show that both Jayber and Athey are capable of having compassion even for people they do not like?

7. What lesson does the young Athey learn when his father puts him in charge of killing hogs one day?

8. Describe Jayber's move to the cabin and how he feels about such a transition.

9. What does Jayber come to realize about the community and the inevitable changes in life?

10. What seems to occupy much of Jayber's thoughts as he ages?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the overall setting for the novel? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did Berry choose to use these places in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Loneliness seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of loneliness? Why does it have such a prevalent place in Jayber's life? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 3

The frustration of unfulfilled affection touches several characters in the story. Name at least two characters who experience unfulfilled love and the situations that occur as a result.

(see the answer keys)

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