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

Short Answer Questions

1. What city does Idabel wish for her and Joel to go to?

2. What is the name of Randolph's old girlfriend he tells Joel about?

3. Which of the following things do Joel and Idabel not discuss in Chapter 7?

4. Where does Joel take refuge near the end of Chapter 11?

5. What is Joel hit with after having his hair cut?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The notion of superstition is one that is frequently brought up in the book and plays a role in Joel's life at the Landing.

Part 1.) What can the reader learn about the importance of superstition in the local culture based on characters like Little Sunshine?

Part 2.) What symbolism can be found in the representation of superstitious practices and charms in the book?

Part 3.) How is the presence of superstition significant to Joel's journey from normalcy to bizarre in the book?

Essay Topic 2

The notion of religion appears to play a vital role in Joel's life at the Landing.

Part 1.) What role does religious traditions seem to play in the lives of characters like Zoo and Jesus Fever based on their services performed on Sundays?

Part 2.) What is telling of Joel's nature based on his reactions to religious traditions at the Landing?

Part 3.) What might the author be saying about religion based on his portrayal of the religious acts seen at the Landing?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the possible symbolism for Idabel's colored glasses in the book. In what way might Idabel's offering Joel her colored glasses be symbolic of her trying to shelter him from the harshness of life when you are an outsider?

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