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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 the town in which this novel takes place?

2. Which character was referred to as "the little doll"?

3. In chapter 3, why does Owen enter Tabitha's bedroom?

4. Who comes to visit Dan Needham and Johnny over the Christmas holiday?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Owen mean when he tells Dan Needham that his play is lacking a "certain presence"?

2. Describe Johnny's cousins.

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

4. How does Owen typically play baseball?

5. Who is Dan Needham, and what does he look like?

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

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

8. Why does Owen react so strongly to Johnny's opinion of his mother's death?

9. What does Owen predict when he and Johnny are down by the Squamscott River?

10. Who are the Brinker-Smiths?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Owen and Reverend Merrill played a large part in cementing the religious faith of Johnny who vacillated on religion through most of the novel. In an essay, compare/contrast the religious faiths of Owen and Reverend Merrill. Consider how much trickery comes into play in regards to the faith of characters in the novel. What message do you think John Irving was attempting to state in the novel? How do both Owen and Reverend Merrill's views on faith affected Johnny's views? Which had a larger impact on his faith? What changes did each character prompt in his beliefs?

Essay Topic 2

There are many characters who feel somehow responsible for the death of Tabitha Wheelwright. In an essay, briefly explain the reasons behind both Owen and Reverend Merrill's belief of their responsibility. What prompted each of them to believe in his responsibility? How has this affected his life?

Next, argue why the responsibility for her death should lie somewhere else. This argument should clearly and succinctly prove why neither Reverend Merrill or Owen is responsible. Use support from the text to prove your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, John Irving chooses to present the reader with both the childhood version and the adult version of Johnny. Compare/contrast the presented characteristics of both the child and adult versions of Johnny. What events in the novel may have contributed to the man that Johnny Wheelwright grows to become. What evidence do you see to back up this theory? What reasons do you think John Irving has for interrupting the childhood stories of Johnny with the moments of Johnny as an adult. What messages is he trying to send? What is added to the story by seeing Johnny as an adult?

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