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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. According to Kitty, who is the only one to be able to make a bride happy?

2. Why does Stan ask about Ruth's plans in Chapter 12?

3. When does Stan visit the Pommeroys in Chapter 12?

4. Who takes up with Florida Cobb in Chapter 12?

5. How does Ruth describe her first sexual experience?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to Stan's marriage to Mary during the lobster wars and immediately following the lobster war?

2. How have Rhonda's sons lived since Ira's death?

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

4. How does Ruth feel about her sexual experience with Owney in Chapter 11?

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

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

7. Why does Owney have hidden lobsters?

8. What does Ruth want for her future?

9. What puts a stop to the last lobster war?

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

Discuss the setting of the novel. In what way is the setting an important aspect of this story? How might Ruth's life have been different if she had not lived in the lobster fishing community?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the love and romance found in the novel, particularly the relationship between Ruth and Owney. How do they meet? What is Ruth's first impression of Owney? What is the status of their relationship by the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

What is a coming of age story? Is "Stern Men" a coming of age story? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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