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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 are the people who come from Apango doing in Comala?

2. Who does Damiana think is knocking on her wall?

3. What does Abundio want from don Pedro?

4. What is Justina doing as Susana talks to her?

5. Why doesn't anyone come to mourn for Susana's mother after her death?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Dorotea say she is no longer interested in the sky?

2. What happens between don Pedro and Damiana when she is a girl?

3. What frustrates don Pedro about Susana?

4. How does Fulgor compare Miguel to don Pedro?

5. Why do Angeles and Fausta think Susana doesn't need confess her sins?

6. What does Father Rentería describe to Susana as she lay dying?

7. How does don Pedro deal with the news of Miguel's crimes?

8. Why does Father Rentería feel guilty about Miguel's crimes?

9. How does don Pedro avenge his father's death?

10. What does doña Inés want Abundio to tell his dead wife?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Juan Preciado explains when he realizes that he is being haunted, "I don't know. I see things and people where you may not see anything." The people of Comala are literally being haunted by the ghosts of the dead, but the novel also shows how the characters are figuratively haunted by memories of their past, by their regrets and by the actions of other. Select at least three of the following characters and explain what memories they are haunted by:

- Pedro

- Susana

- Father Rentería

- Dorotea

- Donis' sister

Essay Topic 2

The weather is a major part of how Rulfo develops his narrative. Find at least three examples from the novel where the weather, specifically the rain, heat, and wind, builds up the narrative tension in the story. What emotions do the weather conditions reflect or symbolize? How does the weather mirror what is going on with the plot?

Essay Topic 3

The Roman Catholic religion, as embodied by Father Rentería, is critiqued throughout the novel. What is the role of religion in the lives of the people of Comala? Does it provide a solace or is it more based on fear of damnation? Which characters are most affected by their faith? What characters are affected the least? Explain how Father Rentería is seen as both a positive and negative symbol of church. Use specific examples from the text.

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