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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 the tone of Helen's memories?

2. What type of relationship did Milton have with his father?

3. Who is the funeral director's assistant?

4. Who had bound and gagged Maudie?

5. What is Helen's most vivid recollection in this chapter?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Helen feel about Dolly and her husband and when does she know there is something going on between Dolly and Milton?

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

3. What is significant about the letter that Milton reads while waiting for the train?

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

5. Describe the activity surrounding Daddy Faith.

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

7. How do thoughts of Peyton lead Milton to think about his own father and what does he recall about that relationship?

8. How can Dolly best be characterized?

9. How does Helen use Maudie's physical afflictions as a tool?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The author uses several instances of flashbacks in the story. Explain what a flashback is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each a flashback.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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