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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 name of don Pedro's lawyer?

2. Where does Father Rentería go on his walk after Miguel's death?

3. What is don Pedro going to do with his papers since his lawyer won't take them?

4. Who tells don Pedro that Susana is back in town?

5. What is Dorotea's nickname?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does don Pedro want Susana's father to disappear in the mines?

2. Why is Villalpando in such a bad mood?

3. Why doesn't Abundio's wife get last rites?

4. Why is Fulgor Sedano happy about the rain?

5. Explain Bartolomé's relationship with Susana.

6. What frustrates don Pedro about Susana?

7. What happens during Father Rentería's confession?

8. What happens when the revolutionaries come to don Pedro's house?

9. How does don Pedro deal with Susana's death?

10. Why does Susana think Father Rentería has come to see her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dolores is a conflicted character. Originally she is in love with Pedro and excited to learn he wants to marry her, but she soon becomes disenchanted with her life with him.

- What causes Dolores' change of heart?

- Dolores tells Juan not to ask his father for anything, but also to make him pay. Explain what you think she means by this. What do you think Dolores actually wants Juan to do? Using examples from the text explain why you think this.

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

In the novel, Pedro thinks: "Nothing can last forever. There isn't any memory, no matter how intense, that doesn't fade out at last" (95). Do you agree with this? Cite evidence from the text that supports your conclusion. Do any of the memories that affect the characters lives fade out? Which memories do not fade away? How do these memories affect the characters' fates?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 674 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample