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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 is the purpose of White's "Truth in Love" campaign?

2. To what church does Tom take White?

3. Where does Mel meet Gary Nixon?

4. What happens a year after White writes Falwell?

5. To whom does Mel introduce David?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens to end White's relationship with Tom Montgomery?

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

4. What group does Jerry Falwell form, and who influenced his founding of it?

5. What does Wright find confusing at first when he is at the new cathedral in Dallas?

6. What does the religious right try to push through in Oregon, and what does White do about it?

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

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

9. Describe White's experience with Tom Montgomery.

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

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

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 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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