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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. What position does Tom play in the game against North Charleston?

3. Tom tells Susan that the story of The Southern Way was true except ________________.

4. What ritual does Grandpa perform every Good Friday?

5. What does Tom confront his father about?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Tom realize after reading the first page of Renata's book?

4. What might the appearance of Snow symbolize?

5. What feelings do the townspeople have toward Amos?

6. How could you characterize Luke's experiences in Vietnam?

7. What is different, according to Susan, about the way Bernard interacts with Tom and his father?

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

9. What is happening to the relationship between Susan and Tom during Chapter Fifteen?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Geographical settings carry a special significance in the novel. In fact, the narrative frequently alternates between the South and New York City. Compare and contrast these two settings. What significance do each of them hold in the story? Why does Conroy choose to alternate between the two?

Essay Topic 3

In 1906, George Santayana penned the famous line, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (from "The Life of Reason"). Does Conroy's novel support or refute this assertion?

Write a critical lens essay in which you interpret Santayana's quote, agree or disagree with the quotation as you have interpreted it, and provide evidence in the form of specific literary techniques from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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