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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. Whose religious doubts does Johnny appreciate?

2. Fill in the blank: In the first paragraph of the novel, Johnny says, "I am a ____ because of Owen Meany."

3. Which play is Dan Needham directing?

4. What does Dan think is the ultimate message that Owen was trying to send with the stuffed animal?

5. Who is Lydia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the response from Johnny's family after Tabitha's funeral?

2. What is Owen's view of Tabitha's dressmaking dummy?

3. Describe Johnny's cousins.

4. What does the audience see Johnny Wheelwright reading, as an adult, in Canada, and how does Johnny react?

5. Why does Owen's family switch to the Episcopalian church?

6. What happens when Owen meets Johnny's cousins?

7. What happens to Harry Hoyt's mother?

8. Briefly explain this quote: "God has taken your mother. My hands were the instrument. God has taken my hands. I am God's instrument."

9. What changes does Owen make to the Christmas pageant once he becomes the director?

10. What is significant about Johnny Wheelwright's family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jealousy is another theme that becomes introduced into Johnny and Owen's relationship as they progress into adolescence. In an essay, explain two of the major events that prompt jealousy between the two boys and the ways that the jealously is overcome. What was it that the boys discussed/decided, if anything, to smooth out their relationship? Had Owen lived into adulthood, do you imagine that jealously would have continued to live in their relationship? What adult events might have transpired that one boy, or the other, could have been jealous of?

Essay Topic 2

Both pride and confidence come into play in the novel, and both have serious consequences to events within the novel. In an essay, explain the difference between pride and confidence. What effects do each characteristic typically have in situations?How does pride irrevocably changed the outcome of both Christmas productions. Finally, choose one character in the novel and explain why you would consider him or her prideful over confident. How has that pride affected this character's life? What has come of this character's pride?

Essay Topic 3

While exploring the dorm rooms at Gravesend, the boys are initiated into the worlds of puberty and sexuality. Compare and contrast the boys' expectations of puberty with what they actually experience. Why might John Irving have included sexuality as a major theme within his novel?

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