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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 does a family of raccoons do in Chapter 2?

2. What is the primary industry of Pine Cove today?

3. Why is Detective Rivera worried about his job?

4. Who helps Jenny to relax at work?

5. Who pays to get Robert's cameras from the pawn shop?

Short Essay Questions

1. What options does Augustus see that he has to defeat the demon in Chapter 10?

2. A number of strange events occur in town on the night the Breeze disappears. List each of those events.

3. Describe what the Breeze sees as his attacker at the end of Chapter 1.

4. In Chapter 1, the Breeze expresses several opinions of Billy Winston. Does the Breeze seem to like Billy?

5. Explain how Catch came to be on Earth.

6. Give a brief description of Augustus Brine's approach to life.

7. Explain Travis' recurring nightmare about Catch.

8. What is the first event that led Robert to believe miraculous events always arise to help him out of problems?

9. What are the three theories Howard is trying to prove in his life?

10. Explain what Billy does to become Roxanne.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, the lives of the characters prove to be connected in ways they do not understand. Amanda and Travis are connected through their night on the train, Nailsworth is involved with Roxanne, who is Billy, who has been eaten by Catch, and so forth. Rivera is asked to check on Roxanne, and is connected with Robert and The Breeze through an impending drug bust. This interconnectedness appears to suggest an order for the universe, which is in direct contrast to Augustus' belief in chaos.

Using examples from the book, explain which view of the universe you believe the novel represents. Are the situations in the novel chaotic in nature, or based on an orderly undercurrent? Why do you believe this is the case? What does this say about the author's view of the universe? Does this coincide with the religious undertones of the novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There is clearly a theme throughout the novel of corrupt morality within religious realms. Travis experiences this at the seminary in a tragic way. Describe, in detail, the corruptions of morality Travis experienced at the seminary. Do you think this had an effect on his overall belief in religion, based on his conversations later in the novel with Jennifer? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

There are several references to pop culture in the novel. The author creates humor by contrasting horrific or difficult situations with an everyday, commonplace interaction. Choose one reference which shows such characteristics and analyze it. What is the reference? Which characters are involved? How does the author's use of such a reference lighten the situation? Do you believe the result is successful?

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