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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 do Willard and Arvin do for hours each day?

2. About what does Dunlap taunt Willard?

3. How is Reverend Sykes characterized?

4. About what does Willard's mother ask Willard to pray?

5. What does Lee ask Arvin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What would keep Willard from coming out to the prayer clearing and what does Arvin think of either activity?

2. What does Willard do after Charlotte's funeral?

3. What happens to the young, attractive soldier that Carl and Sandy pick up?

4. What does Bodecker learn when he visits the bar where Sandy works?

5. How does Roy end up killing Helen?

6. What do the two hunters loudly discuss and what is Willard's reaction?

7. What happens one night when Willard wakes Arvin?

8. At what does Dunlap hint to Willard one day when Willard goes to pay his rent?

9. What is the phone call about that Bodecker receives and what does Bodecker conclude?

10. What does Willard decide to do as Charlotte's health deteriorates?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think The Devil All the Time is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "The Devil All the Time" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "The Devil All the Time"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "The Devil All the Time" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

One of the most intriguing and engaging aspects of the narrative is the depth and texture to the writing - specifically, its use of imagery and motif to illustrate its thematic and narrative points. One repeated motif of dark and destructive sexuality has already been discussed. Another appears for the first time here in Helen's decision to marry Roy, that motif or image being that of a lonely woman giving herself to an unworthy, destructive man. The motif repeats later in the relationship between Carl and Sandy.

1. Discuss reasons why a woman might marry a destructive man. Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss what the above paragraph means by imagery and motif to illustrate a theme. Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

3. How do you think destructive sexuality might affect a person's life? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,148 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample