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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 African-American man does Mel meet in Los Angeles?

2. When do Lyla and Mel marry?

3. When do Mel and Lyla begin dating?

4. For what organization does Mel work?

5. When does Mel resign his position with Evangelical Covenant Church?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mel describe himself as an adolescent?

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

3. What was Lyla like in middle school?

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

5. Where does White begin meeting gay men, and who is the "Dr. Smith" that White meets this way?

6. Who is Jeffrey S. and what is his story?

7. Where is White called to become the senior pastor, and what does Lyla do at the same church?

8. What does Mel write about Johnny B.?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The topic of marriage is woven throughout Stranger at the Gate. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the attitudes toward marriage that the following persons seem to take: Mel White, Lyla White, Jerry Falwell, Tom Montgomery, Pat Robertson and James Dobson.

2. How do you think the characters listed above are influenced by Christianity in their views of marriage? Discuss thoroughly using examples from the book.

3. Compare/contrast the Christian view of marriage with that of Mel White. How are their views similar? Different? Which views are more like your own?

Essay Topic 2

Gossip and rumors are found throughout Something Wonderful. Discuss the following:

1. What is one piece of gossip that you think is started maliciously? Who starts it? Why? Does it end up harming the person it is intended to harm? Why or why not? What effect does the gossip have on the person the gossip is about? What effect does the gossip have on one other character?

2. What is one piece of gossip that you think is started intentionally to help someone? Who starts it? Why? Does it end up helping or harming the person it is intended to help? Explain. What effect does the gossip have on the person the gossip is about? What effect does the gossip have on one other character?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of gossip as it is woven throughout Something Wonderful. Is the gossip always harmful? What are the motivations of those who start and perpetuate the gossip? What are the effects of the gossip?

4. Why do you think people gossip?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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