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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. Who arrives at Savannah's apartment the morning after the dinner party?

2. The Amberjack has arrived to capture _____________.

3. What does Lila give Savannah as a graduation present?

4. Why does the Sheriff take Amos' drivers license?

5. Why does Lila insist that Tom remain silent about the past?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What are the ramifications of the divorce proceedings?

4. Why does Tom agree to help find Luke?

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

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

7. What might the appearance of Snow symbolize?

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

9. What feelings do the townspeople have toward Amos?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The game of football plays a major role in the lives and events of several characters throughout the novel. Discuss the role of football in the novel. What part does it play in the text? Be sure to examine at least three different accounts of football from the narrative as you develop your thesis about the significance of this sport in the novel.

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

There is one character in the novel who plays a very small but powerful role in the lives of the Wingos: the name known by the children as "Callanwolde." What do we know about this persona? What might he represent? What role does his presence play in the larger narrative?

Write an essay that explores this character and analyzes how he exemplifies the pain and trauma in the lives of the Wingo family. Be sure to make clear and specific references to the text as well as literary techniques (symbolism, imagery, figurative language, etc.) as you develop your response.

(see the answer keys)

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