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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 does Lee ask Arvin?

2. At what does Dunlap hint to Willard one day?

3. What is Hank Bell closing up in Chapter 8?

4. Why is Willard's mother relieved at what she learns about Roy?

5. Who is Edith?

Short Essay Questions

1. With whom is Henry's wife committing adultery and with whom does Henry say he'd like to commit adultery?

2. Why does Emma believe God will not hold her to her bargain about Willard?

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

4. What does Roy do that causes the crowd to panic?

5. What does Willard do one day that greatly upsets Arvin?

6. Why does Carl wake up drenched in sweat?

7. Who are Sandy and Carl and what are they doing?

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

9. How does Willard exact his revenge on the hunters later, and what does he say to Arvin about the incident?

10. Why does Willard decide to move his family and how does Charlotte feel about the idea?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "The Devil All the Time". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of religion in "The Devil All the Time". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "The Devil All the Time". Consider the death of Arvin's mother, the deaths by homicide and by suicide.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Devil All the Time". Questions that Pollock most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Pollock's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Pollock's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Pollock and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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