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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. O'Connor says the Catholic reader forgets that there is a similarity between the sentimental and what?
(a) The obscene.
(b) The righteous.
(c) The emotional.
(d) The romantic.

2. What does O'Connor think English teachers can help change?
(a) The rate of high school drop outs.
(b) The education systems in third world countries.
(c) The number of college students who have all A's.
(d) The best-seller list.

3. Who wrote an essay saying the woman of the future will know nothing of mystery or manners?
(a) Edgar Allen Poe.
(b) Graham Greene.
(c) Henry James.
(d) John Steinbeck.

4. What family member of O'Connor's reviewed her novel for her high school class?
(a) Niece.
(b) Daughter.
(c) Cousin.
(d) Sister.

5. Who wrote that the roots of the eye are in the heart?
(a) Desiderius Erasmus.
(b) Karl Rahner.
(c) James Keller.
(d) Romano Guardini.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which Steinbeck novel in O'Connor's examples did parents seem to object to?

2. What John Hersey novel in O'Connor's examples did parents seem to object to?

3. What were the subjects called when O'Connor was in high school?

4. Who said if you want to write stories not to drive the poor from your doorstep?

5. In what area of the United States do Catholic writers have the burden of regionalism to overcome?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does O'Connor write powerfully, especially about God?

2. What does O'Connor mean when she says that writers should heed the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas?

3. What does O'Connor say about being specific in her writing?

4. What does O'Connor say about absolutes in fiction, particularly religious fiction?

5. How does O'Connor feel about literature being taught by way of psychology?

6. Why is the fiction writer vulnerable to public criticism?

7. Why might a Catholic writer have to include more violence in his work than he is comfortable with?

8. What problem does O'Connor say Catholic writers face?

9. Why might a Catholic novelist feel angst about being both a Catholic and a fiction writer?

10. Why does O'Connor suspect that readers like it when the devil appears in fiction?

(see the answer keys)

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