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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 Chapter 6, what does Ruth insist about John's drumming?
2. What singer does Cyndi put on in Chapter 3 that annoys John?
3. In Chapter 5, what still amazes John about the Woodmoores?
4. Before leaving the Woodmoore's, what does John invite Ruth to do?
5. What business in Memphis does Fay's uncle run?
Short Essay Questions
1. Why do Taft's in-laws get annoyed at Carl in Chapter 6?
2. How does Fay describe her family to John In Chapter 6?
3. What does Taft worry about regarding his children in Chapter 5?
4. How does John feel about Fay's neighborhood in Chapter 3?
5. Describe the interchange John has with Cyndi in Chapter 4?
6. How is Levon Taft's life described in Chapter 5?
7. Why does Levon Taft dislike his in-laws?
8. What does John imagine at the end of Chapter 4?
9. Describe John and Fay's first kiss.
10. What do Marion and John discuss at the end of Chapter 5?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Discuss the theme of innocence and experience in the novel, focusing on the characters of Fay and Carl Taft. How are the characters unaware of danger and vice before the death of their father? What silly and foolish mistakes do they make before this tragedy? How do these follies transform into dangerous and destructive activities after Taft's death? Why do these children become less heedful of their own safety after they lose a parent?
Essay Topic 2
The novel of "Taft" has a major character's death at the center of its narrative, and the ramifications of this death serve as a dire warning to the other characters. Write an essay about death and the fear of death in "Taft". How does Taft's death ripple through the narrative of the novel? How does its effect confirm John's fears about Franklin? What does he worry will happen if he disappears from his son's life?
Essay Topic 3
One of Anne Patchett's great gifts in dramatizing the moments between parents and children that typify the beauty of this type of relationship. Three such moments can be seen as pivotal moments in the novel. Write an essay about these three transcendent moment in the novel:
Part 1) Discuss the evening visit between Taft and Fay at the lumber yard. Why does Fay decide to interrupt her date to visit her father? In what respect is it a gift he desperately needs? How does this visit change his feelings about his relationship with his daughter?
Part 2) Discuss the moment in Chapter 11 that leaves John Nickel glowing. What does Franklin say he remembers about John, and why does this surprise John? How does it shift his thoughts regarding whether or not to reunite with Marion?
Part 3) Discuss the final passage of "Taft". How does is signify the perfect relationship between father and child? What is being taught by the parent, and how does the child receive the knowledge? What does this say about the joys and fears of parenthood?
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This section contains 1,062 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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