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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 work is Roy doing?

2. What is one thing Theodore dreams?

3. Who wants to be near the water?

4. Where is Pastor Teagardin meeting his parishioners?

5. What does Arvin find on Carl's body?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lenora accidentally commit suicide?

2. Where does Arvin go to live and with whom does he develop a friendship?

3. What is Sandy's actions after Arvin kills Carl?

4. Who do Carl and Sandy pick up after Roy and what does each person in the car think as they are riding?

5. What does Arvin sense when Carl stops the car and what does Arvin do as Arvin gets out of the car?

6. Why does Sandy ask Carl to teach her to use the gun he bought her?

7. Where does Carl take Sandy to teach her to shoot and how does the land owner almost lose his life?

8. What are Roy and Theodore now doing?

9. Describe Teagardin's seduction of Lenora.

10. What does Joe tell Sandy when he visits her at the bar one day and what is her reaction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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