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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 the man in the red tie offer Benjy?

2. Who is credited with looking after the children?

3. Who is Quentin's favorite sibling?

4. Where does Dilsey tell Luster to take Benjy?

5. How many children do Jason and Caroline Compson have?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Benjy remember about his brother Quentin?

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

5. Why do you think Benjy wants his sister back so much?

6. How do you think outsiders see Benjamin?

7. What positive effect does Caddy have on Benjy's life?

8. Do you think Caddy spoiled Benjy too much?

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

10. Describe Quentin's role in the novel.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What kind of mental illness do you think Benjy has? How does his illness affect the other members of the family? Do you think the family allow his illness to affect them too much? What ways do you think they could deal with Benjy better?

Essay Topic 2

In what way does Faulkner express Benjy and Quentin's obsessive behavior? Why do you think Jason is the only narrator not to have obsessive behavior? What meaning does it give to his character and the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Compare the three monologues. What different styles does Faulkner use for each one? Do you think they portray each character effectively? Why do you think Faulkner writes the final chapter in the third person?

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