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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 did Goolrick's godfather's wife bring to the family following Father's death?

2. What caused Goolrick to cry at the hospital?

3. What did grandfather do in response to Dodo's problem?

4. What second operation did brother have that could have rendered him "a zombie" according to mother?

5. What did the eighteen year old boy who lived in the neighborhood want that had belonged to Goolrick's father?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how Mother died and Goolrick's actions at the time of her death.

2. Explain why Goolrick's sister-in-law claims to hate him.

3. Describe the environment Goolrick experienced as a child.

4. Explain the situation when Teddy calls.

5. Explain why Goolrick's parents were so angry with him for writing his first book.

6. Describe the game Goolrick and his brother used to play as children, and the consequences.

7. Describe how mother came to own a mink coat.

8. Explain the situation that led to Goolrick's cutting behaviors.

9. Explain Goolrick's initial reaction to his friend's attempt, and his later reactions.

10. Describe the event with mother's blue and green striped dress.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the major themes in the novel, and discuss it. Some examples of themes are child abuse, alcoholism, depression, and the lifestyle of the 1950s and 1960s. Include how Goolrick approached the theme, its purpose in the novel, how it was conveyed to the reader, and how the people in the book reacted to the scenarios this theme presented.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, there are mentions of how Goolrick was treated differently than the other children by his parents. Locate at least five examples of how Goolrick was treated differently, and explain them, in detail. What are the examples? What do they suggest about how Mother and Father felt about Goolrick? Why do you think they felt this way? How do you think these actions made Goolrick feel?

Essay Topic 3

In "A Persistence of Song," Goolrick notes that he writes the novel with the hope that he can save one child from molestation. Do you think Goolrick's novel has the power to impact someone enough not to rape a child? Why or why not? Do you think the pain Goolrick's suffers in the novel is enough to convince a pedophile that their actions are not only inappropriate, but that they can ruin a life? Why? Do you think an alcoholic parent might take a moment to think about their actions with their children after reading this book?

(see the answer keys)

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