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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. According to the person who convinces Penn to meet with him by telling him that his family is in danger, what does this person consider Payton to be?

2. Where are Penn and his daughter when Penn decides to move back to his hometown?

3. Who is the district attorney in Natchez?

4. At the time of the fight with Penn, what was the occupation of the man Penn fought with for the right to prosecute Hanratty?

5. What company is considering Natchez for its new plant location?

Short Essay Questions

1. Although Penn has no proof, what does he suspect about his father's involvement in his wife's final hours?

2. Why does Shad Johnson want Penn to leave the Payton case alone?

3. According to Penn's mother, why had she been upset earlier on the phone?

4. When Penn and Tom discuss Tom's options regarding the blackmail, Penn suggests two options to his father. What are they?

5. While Tom and Penn are fighting about the newspaper article, two women appear on Tom's doorstep. Why are the women there?

6. When Penn first confronts his father about what's bothering his father, how does Tom react?

7. According to Sam Jacobs, what two things drive the Marston family?

8. When Tom questioned Presley about why he only returned one gun, not two, what did Presley say?

9. After Hanratty is convicted, what does Hanratty's brother do?

10. Why did Presley return the gun he borrowed from Tom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the groups of people trying to prevent the truth about Payton's murder from being told. Compare and contrast these groups in terms of overall number, organization, overall motivation, ability to plan, and success achieved. How are they similar? How are they different? Does any one group actually end up succeeding? Why or why not? Support your answer with examples from the story.

Essay Topic 2

Leo Marston wears different masks in the story. Both a community leader and a behind-the-scenes manipulator, Leo is a study in contradictions. Clearly, he can be a good man, but he just chooses not to be one. Identify, then compare and contrast the different sides of Leo Marston. How would the entire plot have been affected if Leo had not been successful at deceiving those around him? Why is it necessary for Leo to wear different masks? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

In addition to revenge, jealousy is a central theme of this novel.

a. Identify three characters that are motivated by jealousy. Describe their reasons for being jealous. Is their jealousy founded? Why or why not?

b. How does jealousy affect these characters, their decisions, and their actions?

c. What is the outcome for these characters? Were they successful in their endeavors, or would they have been more successful if they had not been jealous? Explain your answer

(see the answer keys)

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