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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 is Bernard no longer continuing his football lessons?

2. Which character challenges Tom to a fight after school?

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

4. What does Tom tell Lila he has decided to tell Dr. Lowenstein?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What might the appearance of Snow symbolize?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. What does Tom recognize as he has dinner with his mother?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Animals and nature have a special significance and meaning in the novel. Choose one of the following animals and discuss its significance throughout the novel. Be sure to discuss any possible symbolism or figurative meaning this animal might hold in the text; i.e. its representation of a larger idea or its relevance to one or more of the characters.

A.) Caesar, the tiger.

B.) Papa John's Black widow spiders.

C.) Snow, the albino porpoise.

Essay Topic 3

Tom spends much of his narrative delving into the lives and experiences of his parents and even grandparents. In fact, Dr. Lowenstein is occasionally frustrated by Tom's refusal to speak exclusively about her patient, Savannah, but Tom persists that in speaking about these seemingly tangential anecdotes, he is in fact providing insight into Savannah's character. Consequently, each of the Wingo children are an amalgamation of various influences and traits of their parents and grandparents.

Choose ONE of the following Wingo children and examine their character in terms of the influences he or she exemplifies from the Wingo parents and/or grandparents (Henry, Lila, Tolitha, Amos). You may write about one of these character's exclusive influence on one of the Wingo children or you may discuss how several or even all of these characters influenced the lives and actions of one of the Wingo children.

A.) Tom.

B.) Savannah.

C.) Luke.

(see the answer keys)

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