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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. How does the author feel we can move past re-creating what has already happened?

2. In the anecdote about the holy man painting a portrait for a king, who ends up being revealed in the painting?

3. What does Viorst explain we are trying to accomplish when we try to "undo' the separation from our mother?

4. There are _______ unanswered questions about the innate differences between the sexes.

5. What two feelings battle each other at every stage of development?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do psychologists think the "Mommy and I Are One" experiments worked?

2. Why does sibling rivalry tend to diminish with age?

3. What did Alfred Adler note about the relationship between siblings and how it influences who we become as adults?

4. Why did Art Buchwald, journalist and friend of the author, say that he understands about "scars on the brain"?

5. When a child sees a mother as all-good or all-bad, how can this affect their future relationships?

6. Growing up means what, according to Chapter 10?

7. Why were Hansel and Gretel so close to each other relationally?

8. Using an example from the book, describe ways in which the Oedipus complex can play out in the lives of adults.

9. Viorst lists many things that healthy adults know. Name two.

10. According to Chapter 9, what kind of person lacks guilt?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the perception that our image of our mother as an all-loving, all-encompassing being with the reality of what most mother's really must be. Why do we all seem to have such idealistic perceptions of mothers as such selfless, loving beings? Are these perceptions based in some reality or just fantasy? How do these perceptions play out and affect who we become, our expectations for love in other relationships, etc.?

Essay Topic 2

Chapter 15 talks about the "corporate characteristic" of families, specifically mentioning the Bachs and the Kennedys. Explore this idea of family identity and myths. Using support from the book, in what ways is it helpful for families? In what ways could it be problematic? Consider your own experience and whether your family or friends' families have a "corporate characteristic."

Essay Topic 3

Sigmund Freud first discovered and described the Oedipus complex. Write an essay about the beginning of this complex, why it was named after Oedipus, and how it continues to impact modern psychology. Using support from the book and your own life, discuss why or why not you may agree or disagree with Freud and Viorst's view of this theory.

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