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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. Who moves into the cabin with Christmas?

2. What does the deputy tell the sheriff about Lena?

3. Where does the stranger take Christmas?

4. Why does Lena move into the cabin?

5. To where does Miss Burden make arrangements for Christmas to go?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are the townspeople anxious to find Miss Burden's killer?

2. Why is Hightower so upset that Byron has asked for his help with the situations regarding Lena and Christmas?

3. The cries of Lena's newborn child are significant for Byron. Why?

4. Explain the irony in Miss Burden's nearly nymphomaniac behavior?

5. What is the symbolism of the odor in Hightower's house?

6. Why does Byron force an encounter with Brown after Brown flees from Lena in the cabin?

7. New life has significance in more than one way in this chapter. Explain.

8. Why does Christmas feel he will be safe at Miss Burden's place?

9. As Christmas runs to avoid the law, he stops at a cabin and trades shoes with a Negro woman. What is the significance of the traded shoes?

10. Why do the Negroes of Mottstown support Mr. Hines who preaches white supremacy in Negro churches?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Does Faulkner end the novel on a note of hope or the continuance of the futility of man's struggle to understand his existence? Explain

Essay Topic 2

There is much hypocrisy throughout the novel. Identify three situations of hypocritical behavior and what makes them prime examples of hypocrisy.

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of the month of August in the book? What does its position in the year symbolize. The month of August is especially poignant for a few characters. Who are they and what does August mean for them?

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