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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. Why does Jim plan to get drunk after the funeral?

2. What does Mark Brian do that captures Jim's attention?

3. Why doesn't the young man know about his illness?

4. The Bishop plans to send the young man to his hardest parish because

5. When the men deliver the organ to the church

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the state of the vicarage.

2. What happened to the RCMP when he tried to take pictures of the tribe members fishing?

3. Why does Mark agree to help Gordon get an education?

4. What do the villagers believe about the salmon?

5. Why is Jim interested in the prayer Mark Brian recites?

6. What limitations does the ordinand's illness place on him?

7. What is significant about the names of the characters revealed in the Introduction?

8. What information does Mark learn from the RCMP about Keetah's sister?

9. Why is Marta Stephens knitting a hat for the vicar?

10. Who speaks at the funeral after Mark Brian is done?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider what the vicar learns about nature during his stay with the villagers. How does nature teach Mark Brian about life and death? Write an essay in which you use examples of nature mentioned in the novel to explore Mark Brian's development throughout the novel.

Essay Topic 2

The characters of Jim and Gordon have some opposing characteristics in the novel. Write an essay in which you explore either character as a symbol in the novel, using examples from the text to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Images and suggestions of snakes appear at various points in the novel. Consider the traditional connotations of snakes, and write an essay in which you discuss the significance of snakes to the events and theme of Craven's novel.

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