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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 Phil’s reaction to Rose’s unusual work of art?

2. What does Rose find to be the fastest and best way to rid herself of her terrible migraines?

3. How does Rose feel about Phil being nowhere to be found?

4. How does Chapter XI end?

5. What are the reasons given for why the elder Burbanks would throw dinner parties for local ranchers?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Peter defy dinner table protocol?

2. What does Peter discover on his explorations?

3. As the Governor and wife return home from the dinner with George and Rose, what do they both think about the dinner and Rose, in particular?

4. Why does Edward tell his son about life before the reservation?

5. What does Phil's bathing spot mean to him?

6. How does Phil react to Peter's arrival at the ranch?

7. How does Rose's piano playing go at the Governor's dinner? Why?

8. What does Phil think about Indians?

9. What prevents Edward and his son from seeing their land and Edward’s father’s grave?

10. What does Rose do to feel a bit more like herself in Chapter VII?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the reader learn about the ease of moving the Indians to the reservation? What does this reveal about the white people at the time of The Power of the Dog? How does Phil's view of Indians reinforce the attitudes of the white people at this time?

Essay Topic 2

Phil's death is sudden, but the question is, is it surprising? Had you predicted Phil's death at the hands of Peter? Why or why not? Are there certain aspects of his death that are shocking or surprising? Why or why not? Why might the author have chosen to remove Phil from the picture by having him murdered rather than in another way? How does this choice to murder him affect the story as a whole?

Essay Topic 3

Although George is not considered a smart man, what abilities of his seem to shine throughout this story, beginning with early descriptions of him as well as his relationship with Rose beginning in Chapter V? What does this say about intelligence? What does the reader learn about various types of intelligence throughout this story? In what ways is intelligence important and in what ways can in be a hinderance?

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