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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. What is the position of the man to be hanged?

2. What does the condemned man think is the solution for his predicament?

3. What does the condemned man want to take off his body?

4. What type of sound distracts the condemned man's thoughts?

5. What role do the sentinels have in the impending execution?

Short Essay Questions

1. What questions does the author plant in the reader's mind about why Peyton was selected for the encounter with the Federal scout?

2. Who does Peyton see coming to meet him and how does he respond?

3. How can Peyton's devotion to the Southern cause be identified?

4. What is noted about the man's position and posture?

5. What does the soldier tell Peyton about what the Yanks are doing?

6. How do the sentinels at the scene behave at the impending execution?

7. What other characters appear at the scene with the condemned man?

8. What does Peyton want to know after the mention of the posted notice?

9. What is the unwritten rule guiding the soldiers in their demeanor at the execution?

10. What happens to startle Peyton out of his reverie of the beauty of the nature he sees?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Denial takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

Bierce is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphor, and irony, and briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the story. Why does Bierce use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

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This section contains 717 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample