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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 does Mel see as one aspect to many of the right-wing Christian leaders for whom Mel works?

2. What does Mel do in front of Lyla one night after they have a fight?

3. Who is David?

4. Who is Mel White's first client?

5. What did Mel do immediately upon meeting Tom Montgomery?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does White handle his relationship with David as far as Lyla is concerned?

2. Who is David and how does White meet him?

3. What worries White about the religious right's rhetoric about homosexuality?

4. What does Mel say that the religious right increasingly claimed and what was one of those claims?

5. What does White say about attempts by gays to become heterosexual?

6. Who is R. J. Rushdoony? What is his view about homosexuality and White's thoughts about that?

7. Describe White's experience with Tom Montgomery.

8. How does White find peace in his new church in Dallas?

9. How does Tom Montgomery maintain his spirituality despite being angry with the Religious Right?

10. What is the Truth in Love campaign?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful work of non-fiction/memoir?

2. Analyze and discuss Stranger at the Gate based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Stranger at the Gate is a successful work of non-fiction/memoir.

3. Is Stranger at the Gate a book you would recommend to a friend? Why or why not? Explain.

4. Can a novel be successful and yet many readers not enjoy it? Explain your response.

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

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?

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This section contains 1,117 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample