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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. Which of the following is NOT true about the traumatic memory from the Wingo childhood?

2. What does Tom recall that his father did not allow?

3. What does Tom promise to tell Dr. Lowenstein during dinner?

4. Where do Tom and Dr. Lowenstein go the night after their initial meeting?

5. According to Tom, which character seems to be the most caring person in the children's lives?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the story of Lila's quest to win the Colleton League cookbook contest reveal about her character?

2. Who is the Prince of Tides?

3. What is curious about Tolitha and Amos having Henry for a son?

4. How does the phone call contrast with the idyllic opening of Chapter 1?

5. How does the scene in the funeral parlor contrast with the rest of the Wingo childhood?

6. How does Lila feel about Henry's profession as a shrimper?

7. Why does Tom feel the fallow deer are out of place in the Central Park Zoo?

8. Why does Tom suggest that football is a good thing for the unhappy Bernard?

9. How does Lila react to Henry's buying a tiger?

10. How has coaching Bernard helped Tom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the prevailing ideas of the novel is the concept of dualism; of two sides to the same subject or character. Conroy often develops this duality by placing pairs of characters in stark comparison or contrast to each other to illuminate a concept about either persona or both of them.

Choose ONE of the following pairs of characters and write a compare and contrast essay about them. Be sure to use specific and relevant details from the text. Remember also to analyze the significance, consequence, or reason for the author's juxtaposition of these two figures.

A.) Tom and Savannah.

B.) Grandpa Wingo and Tolitha.

C.) Henry and Lila.

D.) Bernard and Savannah.

E.) Susan and Tom.

F.) Herbert and Lila.

G.) Amos and Luke.

H.) Luke and Henry.

Essay Topic 2

A major idea in the novel is the concept of transformation. In fact, many of the characters in the novel undergo a transformation or reinvention throughout the course of the novel.

Choose ONE of the following characters and explore the details and significance of his or her transformation. Be sure to include specific and relevant evidence from the text as you develop your response.

A.) Tom.

B.) Savannah.

C.) Luke.

D.) Henry.

E.) Lila.

F.) Susan.

G.) Bernard.

Essay Topic 3

A theme and concern among many Southern writers is the collapse of the "Old South." William Faulkner, for example, dealt with this issue numerous times in his novels and short stories. Pat Conroy also seems to be making a statement about the South and its destruction through the traumatic events of the Wingo children.

Write a thematic essay in which you trace Conroy's treatment of the South and its collapse throughout the novel. Some questions to consider are: What seems to be the author's view of the South? How does he represent the South throughout his narrative? Does the end of the novel seem indicative of a resurrection of the Old South or are the traditions and ways of the past lost forever in the wake of progress and development?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,141 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample