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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. Why is the meeting going to be serious?

2. What happens on the car ride?

3. What is clear about Sharon?

4. What does Kate admit to John?

5. What does John understand about the plight of this group?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is John searching for as the novel begins?

2. What does Sharon try to establish about the trip?

3. What does John begin to plan on his way back to the office?

4. Who does John feel that he has fallen in love with?

5. Does Kate understand John's quest?

6. What does Kate decide to do about her therapist?

7. What occurs on the ride to the Gulf Coast?

8. What does John do in order to escape from his life?

9. What important question does John ask Kate in this chapter?

10. Where does John ask Sharon to go with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

New Orleans is a city that is rich in culture, food, and arts. Describe the setting of New Orleans in relation to John's story. How does the backdrop and society of New Orleans affect the story? Describe three specific places in the city as well as three specific events that take place there.

Essay Topic 2

1. John watches movie and television shows to escape his everyday, ordinary life in New Orleans, Louisiana. How does watching movies help John to escape? Why do you think John needs an escape from his life? What aspects might he want to leave behind?

2. Compare and Contrast John's feelings about movies and Lonnie's view of movies.

Essay Topic 3

1. Freedom is another central theme of the novel. Both John and Kate struggle to find their own independence in different ways. How are John and Kate's searches for independence similar?

2. Describe how John's assertion of manhood and determination to create a relationship with Kate, leads to Kate's oppression.

3. Is this John or Kate's fault?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 749 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample