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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 item has Luther gone in search of on the island?

2. What rock is found in the hills on Konora?

3. Who is Bill Harbison's wife?

4. In addition to Dr. Paul Benoway, who survives a plane crash and time on a life raft?

5. The men are told that they will lead the next strike on ____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Pearlstein's strategy to complete the airstrip?

2. What are some of the stops Bus makes in order to find liquor for Tony?

3. How does the letter Bill Harbison writes to his wife compare to the one Timothy Hewitt writes to his wife?

4. What are Bloody Mary's plans for Joe?

5. How does the chaplain compare the pig ceremony to some aspects of Christianity and how it goes against the American practices of consumption?

6. How is Captain Kelley compared to Captain Bligh of the Bounty?

7. What outrageous situation do the men encounter as they attempt to make their final landing in the beat-up aircraft?

8. Who is Bloody Mary and how did she get her name?

9. What job is Commander Hoag ordered to complete on the tiny island of Konora?

10. Why is Joe conflicted by his orders to shut down Bloody Mary's trading post?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Michener's use of regionalism in the book. Cite examples of at least two different instances of regionalism and explain why the author used them where he did.

Essay Topic 2

TALES OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC is a classic work of historical fiction. What does that classification entail? Why does this book fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Michener writes most of these stories with a subliminal theme of the fear of death. Choose three characters from any of the stories and give their views on death. Are they afraid? Do they live in denial? How do they approach it?

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This section contains 995 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample