View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens to the hearse carrying the body from the train station?

2. Where had Peyton gone to college?

3. Who is the funeral director?

4. What was the only reason Helen continued to stay with Milton?

5. How did Dolly always think of Peyton?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How can Dolly best be characterized?

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

6. How does LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS begin?

7. As Dolly rides in the limousine on the way to the cemetery, what are her thoughts about her relationship with Milton?

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

9. What is the symbolism of the hearse that keeps breaking down on the way to the cemetery?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 941 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample