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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. How does Herbert Woodruff speak to Tom at the dinner party?

2. What does Luke blow up?

3. Why is Bernard no longer continuing his football lessons?

4. What is Renata Halpern's book about?

5. What does Tom make Bernard wear to dinner?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Tom admit is even worse than the story of his family's attack?

3. What are the ramifications of the divorce proceedings?

4. What feelings do the townspeople have toward Amos?

5. Why does Tom agree to help find Luke?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

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?

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This section contains 1,088 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample