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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. What does Bruce recall about himself as a youth?

2. Who was Bill Binnion?

3. Nola's family could be called ___________.

4. Why had Nola's brother taken Bruce behind the barn?

5. What did Bruce and the girl in #103 do during the intermission at the dance?

Short Essay Questions

1. How have Bruce's perceptions of Nola changed over the years?

2. How did Nola avoid having sex with Bruce in the cabin that weekend?

3. What conclusion does Bruce arrive at regarding Nola's need for a man?

4. What factors must Bruce weigh in making decisions for his future?

5. What game did the couples play when Bruce and Nola accompanied Bailey and his girlfriend to a cabin one weekend?

6. What had Bruce thought about Nola's family members?

7. How does Bruce feel that he is above Nola's family members?

8. How did Bruce separate himself from his own family in favor of the Mulders?

9. Other than leaving Nola, what complicated Bruce's decision regarding going to law school?

10. What could account for Bruce's high opinion of himself as a young man?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the setting at the beginning of the novel. Does the author paint a complete picture for the reader? What, if anything, is missing?

Essay Topic 2

The author begins the story in the present day and tells the story through a series of flashbacks. Why did he choose to tell his story this way? In what way is a flashback technique more interesting for a reader? In what ways is it more complicated?

Essay Topic 3

At the core of RECAPITULATION is the study of a father and son relationship. Define the relationship between Bruce and his father. Why was it so combative? What long-term effect did the relationship have on Bruce's life? How does Bruce come to terms with this primary relationship?

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This section contains 845 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample