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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 position did Helen adopt in life?

2. Why did Helen think Milton invited the Bonners to their home so often?

3. Where does Dolly find Milton?

4. What item is mentioned in the letter to Milton?

5. How did Milton perceive the advice his father gave him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Milton's feelings toward Dolly at this point and why has she accompanied him to the train station?

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

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

4. How can Dolly best be characterized?

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

6. Describe Dolly's feelings about Peyton.

7. Describe Peyton's interactions with men and what value they have for her.

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Helen. 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 2

In Chapter 7, the author provides Peyton's thoughts through a technique called stream of consciousness. Define stream of consciousness. Then explain how Chapter 7 uses this technique. Why would the author choose to use this technique in his novel? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Styron uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two examples you can identify in the novel and note why they are examples of irony.

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