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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. Why won't Lila buy Tom the clothes he asks for?

2. Where does Luke go after the war?

3. Why doesn't Savannah go to New York after graduation as she originally planned?

4. Why does Lila invite Tom to dinner?

5. Which character is NOT embarrassed by Grandpa Amos' show?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Tom decide to tell Dr. Lowenstein about the fateful day on the island?

2. What plans do the Wingo children have after graduation?

3. Why is Lila bitter about Tom's decision?

4. How does Tom ironically avenge Herbert's rude behavior?

5. Why is Tom jealous of Savannah in Chapter 18?

6. Why does Tom continue searching through Savannah's apartment?

7. What is the symbolism of Luke's solitary war with the government?

8. What admission does Susan make that startles Tom over dinner?

9. Why does Tom get in a fight in Chapter 17?

10. Why is it ironic that Oscar Woodhead hoists Benji on his shoulders after Colleton beats North Charleston?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While the narrative of the Wingo family abounds with tragedy and conflict, Conroy does manage to interject select scenes to provide a sense of comic relief into the otherwise traumatic account.

Choose ONE scene from the novel that provides some measure of comic relief. Be sure your essay:

A.) Discusses the particular scene in detail for the reader.

B.) Analyzes how this scene provides a relief or contrast to the more serious and depressing elements of the Wingo history.

C.) Evaluates the role of this scene in the overall narrative. Why is it necessary in the story? How would the novel be affected without it?

Essay Topic 2

The essence of any drama, especially the Wingo family drama, is conflict. Choose ONE of the following characters and discuss the major conflicts and obstacles he or she seeks to overcome throughout the novel. Does he or she succeed? What is the prevailing conflict in his or her path to healing? How does the struggle and tension produced by this conflict change this character?

A.) Tom.

B.) Luke.

C.) Savannah.

D.) Lila.

E.) Susan.

F.) Henry.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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