View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Carl's mood change on the way home?

2. With whom is Theodore having an affair?

3. Where does Carl start hanging out regularly?

4. Why does Arvin think he does not have to pray?

5. Why does Arvin get into fights at school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Lenora at school and how does Arvin intervene?

2. What does Arvin ask Earskell about during Arvin's birthday celebration and why does Arvin request asking the question?

3. What does Pastor Sykes announce and what does he not tell his congregation?

4. What does Carl get Sandy and what is her reaction?

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

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

7. Describe Teagardin's seduction of Lenora.

8. Who do Sandy and Carl pick up next and what happens?

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

10. What does Carl want to do and what is Sandy's response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bodecker himself has gone up in the world, at least in terms of public status. The reference to his taking bribes, on the other hand, reveals how low he has sunk in terms of personal moral status. The reference to bribes also foreshadows events later in the narrative in which his hard-won status becomes increasingly endangered by his corrupt activities and attitudes. Meanwhile, it's interesting to note how his, Sandy's and Carl's varied states of corruption are juxtaposed one to the other to the other, parallel situations that lead to parallel justice - death at the hands of the avenging Arvin.

1. Do you think Bodecker was always corrupt? Why or why not? Do you think public office corrupts many individuals? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss what is meant by the following: Bodecker's, Sandy's and Carl's varied states of corruption are juxtaposed one to the other to the other. Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

3. Do you think Bodecker deserved to die as much as some of the other corrupt characters? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "The Devil All the Time" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,261 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample