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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. How old is Mel White when he hears a young seminarian preach at a church camp?

2. By whom was a friend of Mel's murdered?

3. What does Mel say did not exist at the time of his attending church camp?

4. What year is it when Mel is in the church camp listening to the young seminarian preach?

5. How does Mel say he appears on the outside in high school?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how Mel and Lyla met.

2. Who is Peter W.? What does White write about the young man?

3. What happens to White's career in the 1970s?

4. How does Jim Morgan broaden White's understanding of God?

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

6. What do White and Lyla do when they return from their honeymoon?

7. What does Mel White recall about a young seminarian who preached at a church camp Mel attends when he is twelve?

8. What does Mel say about whom he might blame for his homosexuality and his feeling miserable as an adolescent?

9. Describe Mel's relationship with Gordon H.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Stranger at the Gate. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of sexual orientation versus sexual preference. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters believe that sexual behavior is predicated upon preference? Why? Which characters believe that sexual behavior is predicated upon a genetic orientation? Why? Which view is the one you hold? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of forgiveness. What is Mel's view of forgiveness? Falwell's? Tom Montgomery? Lyla's? Which characters believe forgiveness is necessary? Which ones seem to refuse to forgive? What is forgiveness? Are Christians the only ones concerned with the idea of forgiveness?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation whereby Mel White is a homosexual and works to promote the agendas of men such as Falwell who were rabidly anti-gay. Discuss two other incidences of irony in Stranger at the Gate.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of five symbols found in Stranger at the Gate. Symbols are inherent in any work of literature, whether fiction or non-fiction, though in non-fiction, the use of symbols is not always intentional.

3. Discuss the use of foreshadowing in non-fiction. What is the purpose of foreshadowing in non-fiction? Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how it is indicates events to come in Stranger at the Gate. Can you as the reader see how what Mel White writes about his early life foreshadows what will happen in his later life?

Essay Topic 3

Mel White writes of the bullying and suicide problems among homosexuals, especially gay boys and men. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think homosexuals, especially males, are bullied? Do you think bullying of homosexuals (or anyone) is justified for any reason?

2. Do you know of any instances when a homosexual you know or know of has been bullied? Was anything done to remedy the situation? What? If not, what do you think should have been done?

3. Why do you think suicide is higher among young homosexuals than young people in general? Do you think anything can be done to change that? What?

4. Do you know any homosexual who has attempted or succeeded at suicide? Do you know the reason(s)?

(see the answer keys)

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