View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where do they first find cancer in Hugh?

2. What event prompts Irwin to start talking?

3. Who attends the opening night of Everett's play?

4. What ultimatum does Laura give her congregation in Book Six?

5. Who offers the prayer at Hugh's wake?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hugh go to Elder Babcock's house in Book Five?

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

3. What does Everett send to Irwin as a "homeopathic dose of sanity and antidote to Army Brain" in Book Five?

4. What is the one positive thing that Irwin writes to Bet about during his first week in Vietnam?

5. Why does Major Keys think that Irwin is a difficult and stubborn case?

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

7. Why does Peter refuse to buy back his manuscripts in Book Five?

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

9. Why does Everett think Myshkin is a prodigy in literature and art?

10. When Everett receives Natasha's letter proclaiming her love, how does he respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The relationship of marriage is evident in several different couples in The Brothers K. Compare and contrast Hugh's and Laura's marriage with Irwin's and Linda's marriage or Uncle Marvin's and Aunt Mary Jane's marriage. Point out similarities and differences and what those details infer about the characters in those relationships.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel Kincaid makes this statement about Hugh, "Papa didn't cures: his whole art is control." Explain what Kincaid meant by this statement and how it coincides with the character of Hugh in the novel. Do you believe it is an accurate statement? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 856 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample