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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. After whom is Nash, the baby of Irwin and Linda, named?

2. What is the name of Everett's weekly column for the university's newspaper?

3. What emotion does Everett feel during his incarceration that surprises him in Book Six?

4. Whom does Hugh telegram for help when he realizes he will not be able to free Irwin on his own?

5. Who comes up with the plan to stand vigil outside the hospital until Irwin is released?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Laura plan to do at church in Chapter 8, and what ends up happening instead?

2. What does Kincaid dream about on their journey home in Book Six that startles and scares him?

3. How is Peter afraid of hurting his father in regard to baseball in Book Four?

4. What piece of pitching advice does Freddy recite at Hugh's wake?

5. What horrible event in Linda's past makes her afraid to live alone after Irwin leaves for the army?

6. What position does Ty Daniels and the rest of the Portland Tug team take towards Hugh when he throws his last wild pitch and leaves the team?

7. What secret about Linda does Bet reveal to Kincaid in Book Five?

8. What effect does Everett's glasses have upon his baseball game?

9. When Irwin is released from the hospital in Book Six, what is his condition?

10. How is Everett's attitude in regards to his imprisonment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of love is central to The Brothers K and has many manifestations. Compare and contrast two approaches to the idea of "what is love" as evidenced by the following characters:

a) Hugh's love for Laura throughout their courtship and marriage

b) Irwin's love of Jesus and God

c) Everett's love for Tasha

d) Bet and Freddy's love for Grandawma

e) Kincaid's love for Hugh

f) Laura's love for Everett

Essay Topic 2

What is David James Duncan's writing style? Discuss both the mechanical aspect of his writing and his "voice" throughout the novel. Make sure to discuss what literary tools and devices he relies on most and what specific parts of the text reflect his voice.

Essay Topic 3

Duty is a theme throughout The Brothers K. Discuss three different characters' views of duty and how it is exhibited by their statements and actions. Based on these accounts of duty, does Duncan create an overarching definition of duty?

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