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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. Which human character is found to have the words "CANT and MUST" (336) tattooed on his fingers?

2. What promise does Ralph make to Jeannie in Chapter 5 of the novel's section entitled No End to the Universe?

3. Howie tells the rest of the investigative team that the plane will be delayed to wait for which character?

4. With what vice does Holly claim to struggle during a conversation with Claude?

5. Yunel points out that Claude would be a good host for the Outsider because which statement is true?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the first sign Jack receives that makes him think his sunburn may be something else entirely?

2. In what way does The Outsider contain commentary about race and culture?

3. Who provides assistance to Fred at the scene of his attempted suicide?

4. How does the motif of dreams enter the narrative in relation to Jack?

5. What finally convinces Jack to do the bidding of the Outsider?

6. How does Grace describe the man she sees in her bedroom?

7. What does the cantaloupe in Ralph's story symbolize?

8. Just before Fred loses consciousness, he has a vision. Describe it.

9. In what manner did Terry come into contact with The Outsider, ultimately resulting in his indictment for murder?

10. What connection does June have to Fred's family tragedy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explicate the theme of the unnatural within The Outsider. What is King’s message regarding the unnatural and how do you know?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss King’s messages about guilt and responsibility within The Outsider. Focus especially on events such as Ralph’s failure to force Terry to wear a bulletproof vest to his arraignment.

Essay Topic 3

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within King’s novel The Outsider. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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