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

2. What African-American man does Mel meet in Los Angeles?

3. What does Mel now consider his feelings of love for another man?

4. The young seminarian invites questions about _________________.

5. When do Lyla and Mel marry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Mel think his grandmother Noni was so zealous?

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

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

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

5. What does White relate about Falwell and civil rights?

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

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

8. What does White worry about on his honeymoon, and how does he solve the problem?

9. What does Mel write about Johnny B.?

10. What is Mel afraid to ask the young seminarian and why?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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