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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 does Robbie's grandfather liken the both of them to at the end of the story?

2. What "crude metaphor" (4) does Robbie's grandfather use to describe the president's behavior?

3. How does Robbie's grandfather describe the moment when he woke from his dream and came back to the present time and place?

4. What does Robbie's grandmother say in the dream his grandfather had about her which he writes in his letter?

5. What does Robbie's grandfather recall J.'s dog's name as at the end of his letter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What sort of help does Robbie's grandfather offer to Robbie if he needs it at the end of his letter?

2. What "crude metaphor" (4) does Robbie's grandfather use to explain how he and his wife and others became inured to what was happening?

3. What household and medical bills were Robbie's grandparents incurring during what he calls the "critical period" (4)?

4. What happened in the dream Robbie's grandfather had the night before writing the letter?

5. What language does Robbie's grandfather use to describe the president, particularly when explaining why he did not think things could go so far?

6. What are some of the things Robbie's grandparents tried to do during the critical period, before essentially giving up?

7. Why were "those on the other side" (5) so wiling to try to tear down the system?

8. What does Robbie's grandfather say is easier to do when reading history books?

9. Why were Robbie's grandparents not "more extreme people" (5), according to him?

10. What does Robbie's grandfather say about organizing marches when discussing what he could have done during the critical period?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Love Letter" is an epistolary piece of fiction. Write an essay analyzing Saunders' choice to utilize this method for the story. Define epistolary and describe what makes this piece fall under that category. Discuss why you think Saunders chose this and whether you think it was effective.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Saunders’s focus on the theme of regret as presented in the story.

Essay Topic 3

"Love Letter" explores the theme of action -- when to take action and what action to take. Write an essay exploring this theme. Identify Robbie's grandfather's thoughts on this using direct examples from the story.

(see the answer keys)

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