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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 liquor does Flannery keep at home as a pain killer?

2. What is the title of Flannery's first story published in a magazine?

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

4. What is the meaning of Manichean?

5. Flannery's letters in this section are ________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the range of criticism and praise for Flannery's work when she releases WISE BLOOD?

2. What important note about Flannery does the editor include at the beginning of this section?

3. What is revealed about Flannery's lifestyle in this section?

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

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

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

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

8. How old was Flannery when her father died and where did the family live?

9. Who writes the introduction for the book and what does she find so intriguing about the letters?

10. What angst does Flannery experience regarding a new editor and the reimbursement of an advance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Explain the role of women in the rural South in the mid-twentieth century. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century women do not have? Why would Flannery both have fit in in rural Georgia while at the same time distinguishing herself there? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

A thread of isolation is an important one in Flannery's letters. How was Flannery isolated as a child? How is a writer's life one of solitude and isolation? How is Flannery's personal life also very isolated? Does she choose some of the distancing she experiences or is isolation inherent in a writer's complete life? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 946 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample