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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. For what organization does Mel work?

2. What does the seminarian say about masturbation?

3. Why does Mel feel alienated in high school?

4. What does Mel say his murdered friend preferred to risk rather than share his feelings?

5. How does Mel feel when Lyla asks him to dance?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mel describe himself as an adolescent?

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

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

4. What was Lyla like in middle school?

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

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

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

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

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

10. Whom does Mel consider himself a child of as far as religion is concerned?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often titles reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be? Or should it be?

2. The phrase Stranger at the Gate appears in the Christian Bible in the story about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Research the story and write why you think White named his book after that story.

3. If you were the writer of Stranger at the Gate and your editor said the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

4. How do you feel when you have finished reading a book and you still do not understand the meaning of the title in relation to the book?

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 the following:

1. Do you believe Mel White was hypocritical in continuing to earn a living working for the religious right after he began to realize that he was probably homosexual? Discuss fully with examples from the text.

2. Why do you think Jerry Falwell refused to answer Mel White's letter requesting a discussion with White about homosexuality and the Christian church? Do you think Falwell handled this situation justly? Discuss fully with examples from the text.

3. Discuss the situation when Mel White decides to travel to Acapulco, Mexico to work with Billy Graham instead of traveling to Chicago to live with Tom Montgomery. What does this situation say about White? About Montgomery?

(see the answer keys)

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