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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. Whose advice does Lila appear to respond to?

2. What has Lila inherited?

3. What does Doc hope to do by his plan?

4. What does Lila Luther look like?

5. What does Pat notice about the downtown of Capitol City?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Doc picks Pat up from prison, they stop at a roadhouse diner. What bombshell does Doc drop on Pat at the diner?

2. How is Doc about to continue working in Capitol City after his shady past is revealed?

3. Why is Doc jealous of Bill Hardesty?

4. Why doesn't Madeline share her life story with Pat?

5. What does Lila do to make Pat uncomfortable?

6. Describe Myrtle Briscoe.

7. What is the purpose of the plan Doc is hatching?

8. What does Pat think about while visiting the diner the second time?

9. Why is Pat somewhat disappointed by his job?

10. Why is there a tussle between Pat and the woman he was following?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While Pat visits Madeline in Chapter 12, a parole officer enters the apartment. Describe this episode and explain the significance of:

a) The parole officer willing to accept a bribe.

b) Pat exposing his scars.

c) Pat beating the parole officer into submission.

d) Pat trusting Madeline.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the power and influence Doc has over Lila. Explore how the relationship mutated from a doctor-patient relationship to what it is in the novel and how it devolves at the end of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of violent episodes in the novel, often including the protagonist. Discuss the concept of violence in "Recoil".

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 580 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample