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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 Joe think about his mother reading?

2. What does Joe's father tell him in a daydream?

3. How does Joe feel when the nurse leaves the room?

4. About what does Joe worry?

5. What does Joe believe is about to happen?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Joe think is the key to knowing time and how does he plan to use the key?

2. What is Joe's first response to what the nurse communicates to him?

3. What does the nurse think Joe wants at first when Joe starts tapping?

4. Describe how Joe thinks of the Christmas story his mother used to read.

5. Why can't Bonham stand the train and what does he do when he sees Christ?

6. What does Joe imagine as he waits for the nurse to return and do you think he is overreacting?

7. Why does Bonham consider himself a slave and what does he ask God?

8. What does Joe think about to try and use his mind?

9. What obstacle does Joe see in their granting his request and what is his solution?

10. What does the little guy waiting for the train with Joe say? How does Joe answer him? What do they do then?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

If human beings are both body and spirit as many religions suggest, Joe seems to be existing in a grey area--neither fully body nor fully spirit. Discuss the following:

1. What aspects of Joe's present life are most like being in "spirit" form? Give examples and analyze your examples.

2. What aspects of Joe's present life are most like being in "corporal" form? Give examples and analyze your examples.

3. How does Joe's actions over the course of the novel demonstrate his preference for either aspect--body or spirit?

Essay Topic 2

It is obvious even in the first few chapters that Joe Bonham is severely injured. Later, the reader learns the extent of his injuries. Discuss one of the following:

1. What is the extent of Joe's injuries and is it realistic that he would have survived such a situation in the early part of the 20th century? Does this lack of realism make a difference in reading the book? Give examples to support your thesis.

2. Would you have preferred death over an existence such as Joe's after his injury? Why or why not? Would it be moral to end Joe's life if he makes it very clear that is his wish? Explain fully.

3. Discuss the concept of quality of life over quantity of days, using examples from the text and your personal experience.

Essay Topic 3

Joe Bonham also has to join, and ends up lying in bed, thinking this is no place for him, no war for him, none of his business. What does he care about making the world safe for democracy?

1. Compare Joe's feelings about war and his assertion that it is none of his business with the ideas many Vietnam draftees expressed.

2. Do you think Joe's reaction to war is a common reaction for draftees? Why or why not?

3. The idea that rich, political persons declare war but the common, poor person fights them. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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