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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 Caddy do when she finds out she is pregnant?

2. What does Benji have no understanding of?

3. Who does Luster give the golf ball to?

4. How old is Benjy on the day Faulkner recites his narrative?

5. Who is sitting in the swing in present time?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Benjy remember about his brother Quentin?

2. Describe Jason Compton's role in the novel.

3. In what way can Benjy understand things better than most people?

4. How do you think outsiders see Benjamin?

5. Describe Benjamin Compson's role in the novel.

6. Why does Benjy's mother change his name from Maury to Benjamin?

7. Describe the female Quentin's role in the novel.

8. Describe the two parents of the Compson family.

9. How does a tale of such hopelessness maintain such power?

10. Why is Benjy's section so hard to understand?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Faulkner's life as a writer and a person. How much of the novel do you think comes from Faulkner's personal experience?

Essay Topic 2

Why do you think Quentin tells his father that he was the one who got Caddy pregnant? Do you think he is hiding something? Do you think there are any indicators in the book to suggest he is a homosexual?

Essay Topic 3

The title of the book suggests something more violent than what actually happens. What meaning do you think the title gives the book? Do you think the title is appropriate?

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