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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. Mr. William Sessions becomes a good friend to both Flannery and ______________.

2. Which is one of the first publications to pay Flannery for her writing?

3. Who does Flannery say gave food baskets to the poor?

4. What publishing company is Catharine Carver leaving?

5. What medicine does Flannery suggest Cecil Dawson take?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Flannery describe her driving test debacle to Maryat Lee?

2. Who are some of the people to whom Flannery writes during this section?

3. What practical advice does Flannery give to Cecil about rejection slips and taking cough medicine?

4. What writing advice does Flannery give to Cecil Dawkins?

5. What information about writing fundamentals does Flannery share in the first letters in this section?

6. What is the name of Flannery's home and how does she describe it?

7. The writings will show Flannery's growth in what areas of her life?

8. In the same letter to Cecil Dawkins, how does Flannery distinguish between the beliefs of Southerners and Liberals?

9. What is Flannery's lifestyle after she leaves Yaddo?

10. How does Flannery separate Catholics from Catholicism?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

From what you can glean from Flannery's letters, create a brief character study of Flannery's mother. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her in her daily life? What hopes does she have for her daughter?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting and time period for the letters. What was America like during this time period? What was O'Connor's South like during this time period? How important are the time period and setting to the attitudes and issues of Flannery and her friends and business colleagues?

Essay Topic 3

Flannery O'Connor is famous for her use of terrifying or shocking situations for her characters. Based on what you know about her from her letters, why do you think O'Connor chose shocking and frightening situations for her characters? Are you surprised that this type of characterization could come from such a seemingly demure Southern woman? Explain.

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