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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 is Helen's most vivid recollection in this chapter?

2. What position did Helen adopt in life?

3. Where is Peyton living after leaving college?

4. What did Helen call the person in #48?

5. What is Peyton's interest in men?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the experience of the black people contrast with the lives of the supposedly more fortunate Loftis family?

2. What does Milton tell Dolly about Peyton's distressful adjustment to New York City?

3. For what reasons do Helen and Milton blame each other for their collapsing marriage?

4. How can Dolly best be characterized?

5. Describe Dolly's feelings about Peyton.

6. What is the premise of LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS?

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

8. Describe the activity surrounding Daddy Faith.

9. Where does Dolly find Milton when the train arrives at the station?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel is filled with the definite demarcation of whites and blacks as typical for the South in the 1940s. How does the author show the class distinctions between the races? What racial stereotypes does the author use? Why were these behaviors and stereotypes considered acceptable in the 1940s? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Styron use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Hate takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 990 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample