View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. For what does Martin Luther King criticize Christian churches?

2. What does Mel not know the origins of?

3. When do Mel and Lyla begin dating?

4. What does Mel worry would happen in the locker room?

5. Who dies ten years after he kisses Mel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mel's brief involvement with Ted.

2. What does White start to pursue concerning his feelings of attraction to other men?

3. What is Mel's memories of a boy named Darrel at camp?

4. How does Mel describe his grandmother Noni as far as religion is concerned?

5. Describe how Mel and Lyla met.

6. What happens to Mel's younger brother Denny?

7. How does Mel and Lyla's relationship develop?

8. From where does Mel say his self hatred arose?

9. Describe Mel's relationship with Gordon H.

10. Why does White decide to go to Fuller Theological Seminary?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though Stranger at the Gate is a non-fiction memoir, it has some of the characteristics of a bildungsroman. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Mel as he changes from a rather naive boy to a more self aware man. What are the significant events that change Mel White?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Mel's growth, do you think Stranger at the Gate could be considered Mel's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other persons in Stranger at the Gate who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Does non-fiction have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Stranger at the Gate, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot because of Stranger at the Gate being non-fiction? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Stranger at the Gate. (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Explain. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

4. Do you think having a plot in non-fiction is important? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Stranger at the Gate is a memoir by Mel White. Discuss the following:

1. Define the word "genre" in the context of literary criticism.

2. Why do you think literature is categorized by genre?

3. Does it help to know how a book is categorized as to its genre before reading it? Explain.

4. Memoir used to be considered inferior to what are considered "the classics." Why do you think this is so? Do you believe a book such as Stranger at the Gate is inferior to something such as A Tale of Two Cities? Explain.

5. What is your favorite genre and why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,163 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample