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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. Who is Carl involved with as of Chapter 8?
2. What does Taft do as soon as he returns home from the mechanic in Chapter 10?
3. Why does the doctor in Chapter 11 agree to help John in Chapter 11?
4. In Chapter 10, how does Taft decide Carl will pay off the damage to the car?
5. Which of the following is in Carl's pocket when John interrogates him in Chapter 8?
Short Essay Questions
1. How is John shot in Chapter 11?
2. What is John's catharsis at the end of Taft?
3. Describe John and Fay's interaction in Chapter 7.
4. Where does John go to recuperate in Chapter 12?
5. What confrontation do John and Carl have in Chapter 8?
6. How do Carl and John bond in Chapter 7?
7. Why does John refuse to be taken to a hospital after being shot?
8. What does Wallace tell John about Carl in Chapter 8?
9. What assessment does the mechanic in Chapter 10 make regarding Taft's car?
10. Describe Taft's interaction with Tommy Lawson's son in Chapter 10?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
"Taft" is a story of two fathers: Levon Taft and John Nickel. Compare these two protagonists in an essay. What flaws does each father have? How does the author make clear to the reader that both Taft and John are, at heart, good men? Which struggles do the men share, and what problems are unique to each? Discuss the way each man's arc is a commentary on the other.
Essay Topic 2
The novel of "Taft" is about two fathers and the children they fear losing. Each of the central figures is concerned that he is the only thing standing between his child and the dark, vicious world around them. Write a three-part essay about the children of these fathers and how losing a paternal figure affects them:
Part 1) Discuss the concerns that Levon Taft has for Fay. What does he worry Fay is not prepared for in the wide world? What plans does he make in his final days to bring her closer? What does Fay do after Taft's death to attempt to hold the family together? How does she crumble in the wake of the tragedy?
Part 2) Compare Carl's collapse after Taft's death to Fay's. How did her experience this tragedy differently? How was he already unpredictable? Discuss the depths to which Carl falls after his father's death, and where it ends?
Part 3) How does Franklin's life change after he is taken away from his father? How does John fear his son is in danger? Discuss the ways in which Franklin and John fear separation and fight to reunite through the novel.
Essay Topic 3
Write an essay about Patchett's portrayal of the modern Deep South in the novel. What is left of the specter of Jim Crow in the South? How do the remnants of segregation and racism manifest themselves in the narrative? Discuss how this nascent bigotry affects the character of John Nickel. Why does it make him more reticent to connect with Fay Taft? Is the city really as racist as he believes?
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This section contains 1,147 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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