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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. Whom did Betty Sue leave the commune with?

2. What occupation does Melinda have?

3. After Saghrue arrives at Trahearne's house and meets Melinda, how does he realize he feels about Betty Sue?

4. According to Rosie, where did Betty Sue disappear to?

5. What best describes Jimmy Flowers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Jimmy Joe Flowers like?

2. How would Sughrue be affected by his experiences in Vietnam and the discovery of the butchered 14-year old boy?

3. How does Peggy Blain's explanation of Betty Sue contribute to the development of Betty Sue's allure?

4. How do Trahearne's novels parallel his personality and life?

5. How does Sughrue's remark about his job and "the chase being over" indirectly characterize him?

6. What does the audience learn about Trahearne's mother?

7. Why is it significant that Albert Griffith searched the morgue for Betty Sue?

8. How does Betty Sue have the power to make Sughrue fall under her spell when they have never met?

9. What events does the use of alcohol foreshadow as the book opens?

10. How does Sughrue treat Charles Gleeson? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sughrue describes Melinda's sculptures many times and realizes there is a connection between Melinda and her art. How do these sculptures parallel Melinda?

Essay Topic 2

Stacy has a small role in the novel. She does deal with all major characters at least once. What is the purpose of Stacy's character?

Essay Topic 3

Sughrue and Trahearne develop a relationship that changes as the novel progresses. These two men can be further explored due to their complexity. Compare and contrast Sughrue and Trahearne.

(see the answer keys)

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