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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. In the first letter of this section, Flannery writes that she and Maryat are both _______________.

2. In the last letter she ever wrote, Flannery uses the salutation of "Dear Raybat" and the closing of _______________.

3. Caroline Gordon informs Flannery that the goddess Venus has a chariot pulled by ____________.

4. What is the title of Flannery's second novel?

5. Flannery's knowledge of theology is rather extensive within the scope of the ___________ religion.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the nature of the book on which Flannery plans to focus this year?

2. Explain how Flannery's humble work mirrors her simple lifestyle.

3. What pattern begins to emerge in the letters regarding the addressees?

4. How does Flannery say she reacted when seeing the scope of the changes on her manuscript?

5. What information does Flannery share about the god, Thor, in one of her letters to John Hawkes?

6. What is the title of this Part and why is it significant?

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

8. What is known about Flannery's romantic or personal life as revealed through her letters?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Flannery O'Connor. 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 is her primary motivation at this point in her life?

Essay Topic 2

Ancestry and Celtic heritage take on an almost human persona in the letters. What is the foundation of Flannery's placing such an emphasis on heritage? Is this a typical Southern trait? Or is this a writer's quirk? Or is this simply Flannery's appreciation of the people who had come before her? Explain your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Flannery O'Connor was no stranger to disappointment and rejection. From what you know of O'Connor's life and personality through these letters, what were her biggest letdowns? How did she manage through them? How did her coping skills evidence themselves in many aspects of her life? Explain.

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