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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. Lee arranges to accompany Viv to __________.

2. Of what kind of person does the prologue speak?

3. What does Viv show Draeger?

4. Who wants to fight Hank?

5. What are the names of Jonas' other two sons?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the prologue that begins Chapter 2.

2. Why does the real estate man soap his house?

3. Why does Jonas become disillusioned with Oregon?

4. How does Lee get Viv alone?

5. What does Viv reflect upon on her walk to the shack?

6. Describe the prologue that opens Chapter 4.

7. What does Jonas' note to Hank say?

8. Why is Lee angry with Hank in Chapter 5?

9. Describe the prologue that opens Chapter 3.

10. In what way does Hank cover his feelings when the bobcats die?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Kesey use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main characters, Hank and Lee, examine the way Kesey uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story? What effect do they have on the main characters?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Kesey's writing style. How would you describe Kesey's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does Kesey's style give to the story?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the theme of revenge. What characters in the novel are out for revenge? How does it affect their decisions and who they are in the book? Does the character's revenge become destructive? Why does Kesey use a revenge theme in the novel? What meaning does it give the story?

(see the answer keys)

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