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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 was the only reason Helen continued to stay with Milton?

2. Where did Milton take Peyton to cheer her up after the altercation with her mother?

3. Where are Milton, Dolly and Ella going in a limousine?

4. What position did Helen adopt in life?

5. Why does Helen get mad at Milton at the birthday party?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS begin?

2. How does the author indicate the importance of Milton's father's words?

3. What is the role of the country club for the Loftis family's dysfunctions?

4. How do Dolly and Helen differ in their views on motherhood?

5. What did Peyton and Buster do to Maudie that ends in Helen's slapping Peyton in front of people?

6. What are some of Helen's recollections in Chapter 1?

7. Why is Dolly disheartened by Milton's behavior when they're having drinks at the country club?

8. How can Dolly best be characterized?

9. How does the narrator address the reader and how is setting established in the novel?

10. Who are the main characters in LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Dolly. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her--if anything--at this point in her life?

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of the funeral hearse that keeps breaking down. What did Styron want the reader to take away from this recurring incident? What symbolism does the hearse have for the main characters? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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