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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. After Tom confronts her in Chapter Twenty, what does Susan then accuse Tom of doing?

2. Why do Tom and Savannah get in a fight near the end of Chapter Fourteen?

3. Why is Tom furious with Dr. Lowenstein?

4. What does Tolitha do every Good Friday?

5. Who is awarded all the belongings of the Wingo family?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the town react to "The Amberjack's" presence?

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

4. What feelings do the townspeople have toward Amos?

5. Why does Tom find the map on Reese Newbury's wall disconcerting?

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

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

8. Why does Susan insist that Savannah wants to become the persona called Renata?

9. What is significant about the new black student's ability to beat Tom in a race?

10. What does Tom suspect about Amos' Good Friday walk?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Located off the coast of South Carolina, Melrose Island is the backdrop for much of Tom's story. Discuss the significance of this primary setting in the novel. What importance does it hold for the various characters in the novel? What larger ideas does Melrose Island represent? Be sure to develop your response with explicit and implicit evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 2

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?

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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