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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 name of Helen's brother who was at the Loftis home at the time?

2. What did Milton watch during Peyton's wedding?

3. What is Peyton's husband's religious affiliation?

4. What is Carey's impression when he sees Helen ready to leave for the funeral?

5. How old is Carey Carr?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Helen do when Dolly calls the Loftis home on Christmas?

2. How does the author show that Milton has inappropriate feelings for Peyton?

3. What does Milton remember about the Christmas of 1941?

4. What is the nature of Christmas 1941 in the Loftis household?

5. What does Carey Carr recall about his first meeting with Helen?

6. What comment does Helen make to Carey as they leave for the cemetery which acts as foreshadowing?

7. What does Carey recall about the Loftises a year after Maudie's death?

8. What is ironic about La Ruth's outburst on the day of Peyton's funeral?

9. What do Carey and Milton talk about while waiting in the roadhouse for the hearse to be repaired?

10. Does Helen seek out Carey for her belief in God or something else?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Even though they are both important in Milton's life, Helen and Dolly are very different. Compare and contrast Helen and Dolly. What similarities do they share? How are they different?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the book's title. What did the author mean by calling the novel LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS? Cite an example to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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