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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 does Mama Jean tell Jimmy?

2. Where is the novel set?

3. What is Jimmy's intention as the novel begins?

4. What is Jimmy's domestic situation?

5. Why is Jimmy's class dismissed early?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Crab come to see Jimmy?

2. What makes Crab nervous when they stop?

3. What does Crab's story have to do with the trip he is taking with Jimmy?

4. What does Crab tell Jimmy is the truth about his arrest?

5. What is Jimmy's relationship with Mama Jean?

6. What does Mama Jean tell Jimmy when he is leaving?

7. Where are Jimmy's parents?

8. What favor does Crab do for Mama Jean?

9. Who does Jimmy think is looking for him?

10. What happens when Jimmy finally makes it to school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Crab's illness makes it impossible for him to play more than an episodic role in Jimmy's life. How else does his illness figure in the book? Is it a symbol or a metaphor? What does it symbolize? What clues does the author give us, that Crab's illness might mean more than just his individual sickness?

Essay Topic 2

Write an evaluative review of "Somewhere in the Darkness". What is this book's place in culture? What are its uses? Who is its audience? What are its limitations?

Essay Topic 3

How would you characterize the author's writing style? How is language itself a character in the story? Is it supposed to be transparent, or does the author draw attention to his use of language?

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This section contains 485 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample