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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. During his first morning at Norman's, what does Sabbath consider as a potential reason to live?

2. What does Sabbath say when Norman catches him with Deborah's picture?

3. What patriotic item which belonged to Morty does Sabbath discover?

4. How is Norman described when Sabbath sees him?

5. How does Sabbath feel about his family plot being filled?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rosa give Sabbath hoping that he will not kill her?

2. How does Sabbath convince Michelle to have an affair with him?

3. What does Sabbath notice in Fish's house?

4. What happened at Sabbath's trial for public indecency?

5. What is contained in the note that Norman leaves on the table for Sabbath on the first morning of his stay?

6. What does Sabbath notice about his family's graves?

7. In Part 6, why does Sabbath liken himself to Rip Van Winkle?

8. What does Sabbath do after opening the box of Morty's possessions?

9. Who was Helen Trumbull?

10. In Part 8, why does Sabbath go to the cemetery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At one point, Sabbath mentions that all of the women in his life hated their fathers. Why do you think that is so? Why did a lack of paternal affection change them in a way that attracted them to Sabbath? What qualities did those women have that made them a target for Sabbath? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

In the novel, most of what Sabbath says is framed as biting sarcasm. But how much truth underlies his type of "humor"? What is the author trying to accomplish by framing Sabbath's attitudes and comments in a sarcastic fashion? Is it to merely entertain the reader? Or is there other significance to that method? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Suicide is a prevalent theme in the course of the novel, and Sabbath considers the possibility of killing himself many times. Why does Sabbath want to, or feel that he should, commit suicide? What problems would Sabbath solve by killing himself? Why does he ultimately decide not to? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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