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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. Why does Willard start killing animals?

2. What does Carl make hitchhikers think?

3. Who is Jack?

4. What does Sandy do with the first hitchhiker mentioned?

5. Where does Willard end up renting a house for his family?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe the church revival Willard attends with Emma.

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

5. Where is Willard going and what is he thinking about as he travels in Chapter 1?

6. What interrupts Hank Bell's daydreaming?

7. What happens one night when Willard wakes Arvin?

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

9. About what does Deputy Sheriff Bodecker fantasize?

10. How does Carl convince young men to have sex with Sandy and what does Carl do after they have sex?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "The Devil All the Time" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "The Devil All the Time" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Donald Ray Pollock.

2. What in Pollock's background may have helped him in writing "The Devil All the Time"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in "The Devil All the Time"? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in "The Devil All the Time" including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "The Devil All the Time" and your own live to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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