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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. Where are Thomas, Charlie, Hanley, and a dozen or so other men?

2. Who pulls Thomas out?

3. How does Thomas get partially buried in the dirt?

4. For what do Charlie and Thomas volunteer?

5. What did Thomas used to do at The Duke that he no longer does?

Short Essay Questions

1. What news does Molly announce and how does Charlie respond?

2. What is the front line like?

3. Describe the fighting that occurs after the bombardment stops.

4. What are Charlie and Thomas' company told to do one day?

5. What happens to Thomas in the German bunker and who pulls him out?

6. What is the new assignment at Wipers like?

7. Who is in the bunker and what does Sergeant Hanley order his men to do?

8. How do the men feel about Hanley's order, who voices that opinion, and what does Hanley say?

9. What happens when Thomas is writing a letter home and how does Thomas respond?

10. Where are Charlie and Thomas sent and why are they glad at first?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Private Peaceful. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in Private Peaceful. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of war and peace in Private Peaceful. Would Private Peaceful be considered an anti-war book? How was war portrayed? How were the men who fought in the war portrayed? Were soldiers or war glorified or demonized? Was war and peace the main theme of Private Peaceful? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The men and officer of the firing squad do not want to kill Charlie, but they know their orders. After Charlie's death, everyone mourns him. Thomas is glad to find that Sergeant Hanley was killed, but his happiness is short lived. That horrible man has finally gotten what they all felt that he deserved, but Thomas is upset that it came too late to save Charlie. He hopes that Charlie knows that Hanley is dead, as it might give him a slight comfort. After saying good bye to his brother for the last time, Thomas feels as if a part of him has died with Charlie.

1. Do you think the men in the firing squad should have obeyed the order to kill Charlie? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.

2. Do you think Hanley being killed was a just exchange for the sergeant basically being responsible for Charlie's death? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.

3. What do you think is the difference between socialization in the early 1900s and the present time that a soldier would be shot and killed for disobeying a dangerous and stupid order? Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Private Peaceful.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Private Peaceful. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Private Peaceful. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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