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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 does Simon live in Houston?

2. Whose daughter is getting married?

3. What does Mr. Pressley tell Simon and Damon they need?

4. How long does it take the band to travel through the Nueces Strip?

5. What does Simon want in life?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Simon buy a ring?

2. Why does Simon pretend to be a fruit vendor?

3. Why does Doro leave the band?

4. Who is Mr. Pressley?

5. How does Simon communicate with Doris without the Colonel's knowledge?

6. What do Simon's coworkers call him?

7. Why does Doris tell Simon she can no longer write him?

8. Where do Simon and Damon stay in San Antonio?

9. Who is Lester Pruitt?

10. Why does Colonel Webb scold Doris?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you explore the long term effect that the war has on Simon and on the country at large, as seen through his travels through the South. In what ways has the war changed the nation as a whole? Use evidence from the text as support.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you explore the theme of power. There are many instances throughout the novel that demonstrate a struggle for power, particularly in the case of the post-war South but also simply between individual characters. Who is afforded power throughout the novel? What does is take to acquire power, or to take it from others? Use evidence from the text as support.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you explore letters exchanged between Doris and Simon. What is the nature of this correspondence, and how does it impact their understandings of each other? Use evidence from the text as support.

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