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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. The Black Stone is also referred to by which of the following?

2. The character, afraid, realizes that he must remove which of the following from his house?

3. Which group supposedly lived in the valley with the Magyars?

4. What is the name of Howard's horse?

5. According to the narrator's friend the nature of time is composed of _____ and angles.

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Howard? What is Howard's main goal in the story?

2. Describe John Carnby. What kind of work does he do? Where does he live? How is the house described?

3. How does Chalmers explain the existence of the Fourth Dimension to Frank?

4. What is the supposed history of the Black Stone? Has the theory been proven?

5. Tregardis is shocked by the explanation and quickly thinks about the Book of Eibon. What is the Book of Eibon? Why is it important?

6. What difficulties does the narrator have in learning more about the Black Stone and Stregoicavar?

7. Who was Von Junzt? What was his claim to fame?

8. The opening quote in the story is written by Justin Geoffrey. Who is Justin Geoffrey and how does he relate to the story?

9. The narrator found mention of the Black Stone in Von Junzt's work. What did Von Junzt write about the obelisk?

10. Who is Ogden? Why does he go to work for John Carnby? What is the nature of Ogden's job?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In several stories inanimate objects are linked to some force of evil. Examples of the inanimate objects include the Black Stone in "The Black Stone," the Shining Trapezohedron in "The Haunter of the Dark" and "The Shadow from the Steeple," and the statuette in "The Call of Cthulhu." Discuss the possibility of evil being linked to an inanimate object. Is it possible? Is the item enchanted? How could it happen? Are any of the items able to be destroyed? Explain. How does each item affect the characters in the stories? How do the characters change once they come into contact with the objects? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Some authors choose to weave history throughout their stories to make them more believable. For example, in "The Salem Horror" the author, Henry Kuttner, uses the Salem Witch Trials as a background for the story involving Carson. In "The Black Stone," Robert Howard uses the history of the Huns and their invasion of Hungary as a backdrop and explanation for the enchanted monolith. Examine why authors use historical references in their stories. Do you think the references help or hinder the stories? Do you think the choices of locations help the stories? Explain. Also verify the facts used in each story.

Essay Topic 3

The Salem Witch Trials are mentioned in more than one story, although "The Salem Horror" uses the tragedy as a backdrop. Write a 1000 word essay on the Salem Witch Trials. Were they real? Were any witches actually hanged? What is the draw to Salem in modern times? Do witches really exist? If so, do you think they reside in Salem? What is Carson's opinion of witches? What started the witch trials? When did they take place? Where were the witches executed? What was the real cause behind the trials? Explain.

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