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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 is the name of the young blind boy that Reuven meets at the hospital in Chapter 2?

2. What is the name of the Malters’ housekeeper in Chapter 5?

3. What does Reb Saunders ask Reuven while they are alone waiting for tea in Chapter 8?

4. What does Reuven tell Mr. Savo his father wants him to be when he grows up in Chapter 3?

5. Whose eye must be removed at the end of Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is foreshadowed through Reuven’s inner thoughts and considerations returning home from the hospital in Chapter 5?

2. How does Reuven feel like his life has changed when he returns home from the hospital in Chapter 5? Why?

3. What is indicated by David Malter’s discussion of Dov Baer in Chapter 8?

4. Who does Reuven meet in his hospital room after he awakens from surgery in Chapter 2?

5. How does Reuven respond to the apology offered him in Chapter 2? What does this indicate?

6. How does Reuven respond to the information he learns about Billy in Chapter 9? What symbolic imagery is described at the end of this chapter?

7. Why does Reb Saunders call Reuven’s father in Chapter 2? How does Reuven respond?

8. What is demonstrated by Danny’s interests in psychoanalysis in the novel?

9. Whose baseball teams play against one another in Chapter 1? How are these teams attired and where do they play?

10. What does Reuven’s father reveal to Reuven about his condition and surgery in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the character of Danny Saunders in the narrative. How is Danny described when he is introduced in Chapter 1? What are Reuven’s first impressions of Danny? Why? How do these impressions evolve?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the symbolism of vision and the eyes in the novel. How does Reuven react to losing his vision even temporarily? How is vision used as a metaphor throughout the book? How does this symbolism apply to Danny’s character?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss F.D.R., Albert Einstein and Tchaikovsky. Why does the author choose to mention each of these individuals as heroes to the protagonist? What is each individual’s historical significance?

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