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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. To what city do Helen and Maudie travel in November of 1942?

2. Where will Helen's brother be going after his visit with her family?

3. What is the message of the telegram Milton receives?

4. Where is Dolly's ex-husband living at this time?

5. What is the topic of the meeting between Helen and Dolly?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Helen so angry with Peyton and Milton on Peyton's wedding day?

2. In addition to the other parent/child relationships in the novel, how does Carey Carr's personal story fit in?

3. What does Milton do to embarrass himself at the university football game?

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

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

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

7. What was the nature of Helen's meeting with Dolly at the tearoom?

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

9. What news does Helen have about Maudie and why is she so angry at Milton and Peyton when they finally return to the hospital?

10. What is the significance of the characters coming closer to the cemetery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Milton, Helen and Dolly. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the ongoing conflict between Helen and Peyton. What is the source of the conflict? Why does it perpetuate? Is it really possible for a mother and daughter to hate each other to the degree that Helen and Peyton seem to hate? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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