View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens to Miguel's mother?

2. How much money does don Pedro offer to the revolutionaries?

3. In what town is don Lucas, don Pedro's father, killed?

4. Why does Susana tell Justina she can't leave?

5. Who is the shot that kills don Lucas intended for?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why is Fulgor Sedano happy about the rain?

5. Why is Villalpando in such a bad mood?

6. Why doesn't don Pedro's lawyer continue holding his papers after he leaves?

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

8. When the reader first hears Susana's narrative, where does she think she is?

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

10. What happens during Father Rentería's confession?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rulfo uses the historical context of the 1910-1920 Mexican Civil War to frame his novel. Based on what you learn about the Revolution and on your reading of the novel, do you think this revolution is a true revolution of the peasants or is it based on other less lofty ideals? Explain Pedro's, El Tilcuate's and Father Rentería's role in the Revolution. What does each of their roles in the Revolution reveal about their character?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Don Pedro and Father Rentería are two different examples of characters dealing with the consequences of their actions. Don Pedro seems to live a guiltless life without regret, while Father Rentería is consumed by guilt. Compare and contrast the two characters based on the following:

- What actions in their lives most affect the two characters?

- How do they deal with the consequences of their actions

- Who do you think is the more sympathetic of the characters? Why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 805 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample