View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What sort of eyes did O'Connor prefer chickens to have?

2. How many peafowl did O'Connor buy from an ad in a paper?

3. Who is the Dixie Limited?

4. What did the telephone repairman comment on when O'Connor asked what he thinks of the peacock?

5. Granville Hicks reviewed a novel by whom?

Short Essay Questions

1. What dream did O'Connor have at the end of "The King of the Birds"?

2. What observations does O'Connor make about the student manuscripts she read?

3. Why did the man who sold fence posts get rid of his peafowl?

4. How does O'Connor feel about the fiction writer using symbols?

5. Why does O'Connor think some people pretend to be unaffected by the peacocks?

6. What does O'Connor say about those who have the gift for writing?

7. Why does O'Connor believe Southern writers are anguished?

8. How does O'Connor describe grotesque writing?

9. Why does O'Connor advise that if an author is called a Southern writer he is best to rid himself of the title as soon as possible?

10. How does O'Connor react to the editorial's cry for more spiritual writing, showing the joys of life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does O'Connor mean when she says that the greatest dramas occur when there is salvation or the loss of a soul? How do these plot devices create interesting stories for the reader? What about the reader who does not believe in salvation or sin? Do you think nonbelievers can fully enjoy fiction written with a religious slant?

Essay Topic 2

Explore O'Connor's obsession with chickens and then peafowl. Discuss how her obsession for birds grows after the photographer comes to visit. Why do you think her obsession follows his visit? What feelings does O'Connor seem to have about the photographer's visit? Consider the fact that he never visits again. A spokesperson from each group should tell the class what the group talked about.

Essay Topic 3

How does O'Connor say she must write, as both a Catholic and a novelist? What does she say her is her responsibility? Why is she so passionate about her obligations? Why is it so important to her to meet the obligations she has set for herself? What can be learned about O'Connor as a fiction writer by looking at the ways in which she defines herself? Why do you think she makes it a point to say that she must protect her reality? What does this mean for her and her reader?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 842 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample