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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 kind of reputation can a lobsterman not afford?

2. When does Toby think Fort Niles will be abandoned?

3. What had Ruth hoped of her first sexual partner?

4. What happened to John while he was in the army?

5. What is Ruth most proud of in the epilogue?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ruth's relationship with Lanford conclude in the Epilogue?

2. What does Toby believe is the future of Fort Niles?

3. What do Ruth and Owney do in Chapter 11?

4. What event is taking place in Chapter 10?

5. What are the other characters doing in the Epilogue?

6. Why are Ruth and Owney left alone in Chapter 7? What does Owney show Ruth?

7. What do Ruth and Toby say to one another on the topic of religion in Chapter 10?

8. What does Owney want to be when he is older?

9. What does Rhonda and Mary hope for Ruth and her future?

10. Why is Kitty so out of sorts in Chapter 12?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A theme of the novel is rich versus poor. Who represent the "rich" and who represents the "poor"? How do these two entities clash throughout the novel? How is Ruth caught between the two?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the motif of death in the novel "Stern Men". Who dies in the novel and why? How do these deaths affect the other characters?

Essay Topic 3

What is discussed about religion in the novel? What are Ruth's religious beliefs? Pastor Toby is a religious figure in the novel: how is he depicted?

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