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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 Arvin take out of the glove box?

2. With whom does Arvin develop a close friendship?

3. What is one thing Theodore dreams?

4. For how long did Roy and Theodore travel in the South?

5. What does the visitor tell Sandy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Carl think about when he goes to eat at the White Cow Diner?

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

3. Where do Theodore and Roy move and how is Theodore?

4. What happens with the fourth "model" Sandy and Carl pick up?

5. What does Arvin notice about the new pastor?

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

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

8. How does Carl prepare for his and Sandy's next hunt?

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

10. What does Teagardin contemplate that night after the potluck dinner?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "The Devil All the Time" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "The Devil All the Time" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "The Devil All the Time" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

Willard's killing of Dunlap and the apparent spilling of his blood, is a grotesque reiteration of the narrative's emphasis on violence - another motif. It can also be seen as tying in with the two lessons Willard gave Arvin in the prologue of what Willard sees as standing up for himself and how he clearly chooses his time to do so quite carefully.

1. What do you think the author is saying about violence in this work? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss Willard in light of his belief that the sacrifice of animals, and then a human, would restore his wife to health. Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

3. How do you think the two lessons Arvin received from Willard affected Arvin's life? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "The Devil All the Time". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Pollock chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Pollock chooses the metaphors he does?

3. Discuss Pollock's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliff hangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Pollock use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,094 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample