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

2. What role does Bernard actually play on his school's football team?

3. Who does Dr. Lowenstein inform Tom that she has spoken with on the phone?

4. When Henry is recalled to the Air Force to go to Korea, where do Lila and the children go to live?

5. How does Tom characterize himself in relation to the other Wingo children?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lila react to the news of Tom's actions against Todd?

2. What is the significance of the game Tom plays with his daughters?

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

4. Why does Tom punch Todd Newbury, and what does this reveal or suggest about Tom?

5. How does Tom turn the tables on Bernard?

6. How does Dr. Lowenstein perceive Lila in Chapter Six?

7. What is the topic of Savannah's poetry?

8. What kind of family does the Prologue portray?

9. What does Luke pray for before his father leaves for Korea?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While the novel contains Tom's narrative of his family history, the title of the novel is based on a poem written by Savannah. Discuss the significance of the novel's title. Who is the Prince of Tides? Support your answer with specific examples and reasoning from the text.

Essay Topic 2

A major motif throughout the novel is the pattern of hiding. Many of the characters are consciously or unconsciously hiding something about themselves, about their pasts, or about their family. As the novel progresses, each of these characters is given the opportunity to reveal the truth that he or she has been hiding or to conceal it further.

Choose ONE of the following characters and discuss how he or she participates in this motif. What is the character hiding? Is the concealment intentional or accidental? Does the character ever reveal this truth? What are the ramifications of the character's decision to disclose the secret or continue hiding it?

A.) Tom.

B.) Lila.

C.) Henry.

D.) Savannah.

E.) Bernard.

F.) Susan.

G.) Luke.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the dramatic irony of Dr. Lowenstein's personal circumstances while treating Savannah. How is her own marriage and family an ironic counterpoint to the narrative Tom is sharing with her about his family?

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