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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 type of work does Gretchen hope to get in New York?

2. What has Rudolph done that Mr. Calderwood is not very pleased about?

3. What is the Jordache family celebrating in Part 1, Chapter 6?

4. To what city is Thomas sent to stay with relatives?

5. Where is Thomas living in Part 2, Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how Thomas is Axel's least favorite child but Thomas is most like Axel.

2. Explain the foreshadowing related to Thomas' discovery of Gretchen's affair.

3. What behavior does Gretchen seem unable to shake?

4. What is the significance of the Communist charges brought against Professor Denton?

5. How is Thomas able to repay the $5,000 his father paid for his release several years earlier?

6. What are the reasons that Axel is depressed which ultimately lead to his death?

7. How does Mr. Jordache's behavior over the nude drawing change Rudolph's opinion of his father?

8. How is Rudolph's career taking off at Calderwood's company/

9. What is Mary's reaction when she learns that Axel gave up $5,000 to save Thomas?

10. How are Rudolph, Gretchen and Thomas introduced in the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story begins in America during World War II. Explain the significance of this war on America in general and the Jordache family specifically. What impact did the war have on the choices that the Jordaches made? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Alcohol abuse seems to be an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the abuse? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? How does it affect the abusers? How does it affect those impacted by the abusers? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of good vs. evil in the novel. Who/what represents good? Who/what represents evil? How do they co-exist or do they? What is the final confrontation?

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This section contains 975 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample