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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 are people identified in the nursing home?

2. What notable thing does Will comment on about his friend, Ned?

3. What does Will purchase when he returns home from visiting the Utts?

4. What is Castalia's nickname?

5. What is the name of the area where the freed slaves camp in Falls?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lucy first meet Castalia?

2. What physical and emotional changes occur in Will after visiting the lake where Ned was killed?

3. Why is Lucy's wedding night especially difficult for Lucy on two levels?

4. Why does Lucy allow Will to tell his war stories to the children in spite of her objection to them?

5. Which person does Lucy select as the topic of her paper on the Civil War, and how does she glean her information?

6. How does the novel begin?

7. Why did Will make the trip to Massachusetts to meet with Simon Utts' family?

8. What is Will's behavior at the site where Ned was killed?

9. What role do soap operas play in the nursing home where Lucy lives now?

10. Even though Lucy is younger than Will, how does she view him regarding his emotional war wounds?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gurganus uses beautifully descriptive language in the book to help his readers see his world from his perspective. Without referring to the book, describe some situation or location in the book using only your recall of Gurganus' descriptions.

Essay Topic 2

The author begins the story in the present day and tells the story through a series of flashbacks. Why did he choose to tell his story this way? In what way is a flashback technique more interesting for a reader? In what ways is it more complicated?

Essay Topic 3

Gurganus is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony. Briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

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This section contains 932 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample