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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. In what is Lyla totally uninterested?

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

3. Whose symbolic child does Mel consider himself to be?

4. Who is Peter W.?

5. What is Mel's major field in college?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Describe how Mel and Lyla met.

6. Describe Mel's relationship with Gordon H.

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

8. What movie and book does White produce while serving as the pastor of Evangelical Covenant?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss the character of Mel White. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an opponent? Do you think he is loving? Compassionate? Accepting? Tolerant?

2. Thoroughly discuss the character of Lyla. What are her strengths? Weaknesses? How does she evolve over the course of the story? Is she likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Do you think she is loving? Compassionate? Accepting? Tolerant?

3. Thoroughly discuss two other persons of your choosing. What are their strengths? Weaknesses? How do they evolve over the course of the story? (or do they?) Are they likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Are they trustworthy? Wise? Would you want them as friends? Are they likely to be opponents to your way of life? Do you think each one is loving? Compassionate? Accepting? Tolerant?

Essay Topic 2

Homosexuality is one of the predominant themes of Stranger at the Gate. Discuss the following:

1. Research the history of homosexuality in the United States and write an informative essay about what you find. Relate the information to what you read in Stranger at the Gate.

2. Engaging in homosexual acts used to be a crime in the United States. It was only in 2003 that laws against homosexual acts were declared invalid. Do you think homosexual acts should be legislated? Upon what basis?

3. Many other countries still have laws against homosexuality--some of them outlaw only male-male sex; others any homosexual sex. Research one country that still outlaws homosexual sex and compare/contrast their culture in regards to religion and sex to that of the United States.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Stranger at the Gate help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Stranger at the Gate? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Stranger at the Gate to discuss and compare Mel's or Lyla's response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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