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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 is the orchard keeper's name?

2. What does the orchard keeper notice about the peach pit when he visits it?

3. With what other offense could John Wesley be charged?

4. How much money does John Wesley give to Sylder?

5. What kind of animal do the boys have trapped in a cave?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why can the authorities not be absolutely certain that the corpse is that of Kenneth Rattner and what do they tell Rattner's widow?

2. How does Sylder recall losing part of his toe in the war?

3. Describe Sylder's booking in the police department.

4. How is Sylder finally apprehended for bootlegging?

5. Describe Ownby's encounter with a welfare department agent in the jail.

6. What sense of foreboding does Sylder have as he tries to fall asleep?

7. Why does McCarthy wait until this point in the story to reveal the orchard keeper's name?

8. What information does John Wesley give to Gifford and what does Sylder say about it?

9. What does the orchard keeper do on a snowy morning involving the peach pit?

10. Why is Sylder's toe injury probably unrelated to a war injury?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

McCarthy is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony. Briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 2

THE ORCHARD KEEPER is written in the Southern Gothic style. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Nature takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

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