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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 a voice say when Nicholas becomes fearful in the dream he mentions on page 50?

2. When Nicholas mentions stories written about humanity's odyssey on earth, what is one story he mentions?

3. When Nicholas reads the New Testament, of what fact is he convinced?

4. On page 83, what metaphor does Nicholas use to describe what it is to be human?

5. On page 64, what does Nicholas feel when he looks back at times when Eric was alive?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Nicholas think the death of a child is so painful?

2. Why did the ordinariness bother Nicholas when he walked into a store?

3. In Section 8, what is said about what it means to be human?

4. How does Nicholas explain why suffering happens?

5. What will Nicholas do with the regrets he has regarding Eric?

6. Why does Nicholas say that his loss is Eric's as well?

7. How is what the Stoics said different from what Jesus said about mourning?

8. What types of days can Nicholas manage?

9. What are the worst days for Nicholas now that Eric is gone?

10. Why do innocent questions make Nicholas wince?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how and why Nicholas explains that man is a reflection of God, using examples from "A Lament for a Son."

Essay Topic 2

Explain what Nicholas believe it means to be human, using examples from the book to support your position. You may also read the texts or passages referenced by Nicholas.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how Christ's resurrection relates to death and suffering. Consider how Nicholas relates this to the suffering of man and death of man. What does Nicholas believe will happen to Eric's body at the end of time?

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