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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. Who wins the National Book Award in this section?

2. What does Flannery tell "A" is "A's" only character flaw?

3. The letters in this section cover the years of ___________________.

4. What is Flannery's writing style regarding how the piece will extend?

5. Flannery urges Maryat Lee to improve her writing by ___________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Flannery show that her characters become very real for her?

2. How does Flannery describe a teaching assignment to Cecil?

3. What is known about the last letter Flannery ever wrote?

4. What is unusual about Flannery's friend, Louise's, visit to a doctor for the flu?

5. How is Flannery's health as the year 1963 comes to a close?

6. What does Flannery write about conversion to her friend, "A?"

7. What fear about her book does Flannery share in a letter in this section?

8. What has become evident about the information Flannery shares with her different friends?

9. What does Flannery write regarding faith and skepticism to Alfred Corn?

10. What does Flannery share with "A" about seeing her novel in print?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Flannery is very forthcoming about being an unmarried woman long past the time that most women have settled comfortably in marriages. Do you think Flannery longed for a personal commitment? Or was writing her only true love? What about Flannery's geographical location and personal health inhibited any chances for grand romance in her life? Was this something Flannery could live without or did she simply resign herself to that fact? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

O'Connor uses some instances of flashbacks in the letters in the form of memories and past experiences. Explain what a flashback is and cite at least two instances from the letters making sure to explain what makes each a flashback.

Essay Topic 3

Flannery O'Connor is famous for her use of grotesque characters in her fiction. From what you know about O'Connor from reading her letters, what would make her create such hideous creatures? What was her motive for bringing the unsavory to life? Did she get a perverse pleasure out of shocking people? Explain.

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This section contains 901 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample