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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 is happening to Rondal and Carrie's relationship?

2. What does Carrie tell Dr. Booker?

3. What does Albion discuss at his weekly services?

4. Where does Rondal agree to go?

5. What is Dr. Booker ordered to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Carrie go when the fighting begins and what does she tell Dr. Booker? What is his response?

2. What do the mining companies do when their team is going to play Annadel and what is Annadel's response?

3. What is Albion doing when he returns to Homeplace and what does he say to Carrie? How does Carrie's family feel about him being back in town?

4. What does Rondal talk to Carrie about and what his her response?

5. What does Talcott tell Rondal about the men replacing Chafin's men, what does he ask Rondal and what does Rondal do? What happens to Rondal?

6. Why do Rondal, Carrie and Booker leave Charleston and where will they have to pass through to get where they are going?

7. What does Albion ask Carrie about her mood, what does he tell her and what is her response?

8. What do Rondal and Carrie do when they reach Charleston and what does Talcott do about the union movement at that point?

9. How does Rondal change his methods and why does he change them?

10. What do the women do after a black child dies?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Storming Heaven is a historical novel that tells the story of struggling West Virginia coal miners in the early twentieth century, which is a story that has often been neglected by history books. This novel gives a fictional but accurate account of how the miners stood together and how business and political interests used deadly force to preserve the oppressive conditions. Discuss the following:

1. How do the interest of business and politicians coincide in Storming Heaven? Use examples from the text to support your response.

2. Do you think there are any incidences or events in present day America in which big business and politicians seem to combine their power in ways in which it might not be in the best interest of the lower economic classes? Why or why not? Use examples to support your answer.

3. There have been a number of incidences in American history where the government has used deadly force against its citizens even as recent as the 1960's and 1970's. Do you think it is possible the government would ever use force against its citizens in the present time? Why or why not?

4. The miners, after many atrocities began to meet violence with violence. Do you think this was the wrong approach? Why or why not?

5. Do you think the miners had the moral right to use violence when it was used against them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In a last burst of hope mixed with anger, the miners confront the army of guards. The miners lose. When two groups are opposed, the one that is most organized and structured ultimately wins.

1. Compare the situation of the miners with a situation in American history, for example the American Indians opposing the white man.

2. Do you believe the most powerful and organized always wins? Can the flea make the lion surrender? Why or why not?

3. How would this situation correlate with guerrilla warfare?

Essay Topic 3

The farmers' lands are taken from them and the coal companies move in to virtually take over the area and the miners' lives, controlling their housing, food and how they can spend their money.

1. How do you think powerlessness engenders anger?

2. What are alternatives to anger to deal with powerlessness?

3. Do you believe the anger seen in the miners' lives is caused by their powerlessness? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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