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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. How does John Byam die?

2. Although the unnamed man whose children find the "sweet" rifle in the attic of their new house finds it beautiful, he gets rid of it. Why?

3. Where does the "sweet" rifle remain from c. 1776 until 1993?

4. What major world event transpires while Cornish McManus builds his "sweet" rifle?

5. How much does John Byam pay Cornish McManus in exchange for the "sweet" rifle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What aspect of Cornish McManus's personality, that John Waynewright dislikes, allows him to build a "sweet" rifle?

2. Describe the initial organization of McRary's Rangers.

3. In reviewing John Byam's actions in the novel, would you consider him a hero?

4. Does the "sweet" rifle have a will of its own?

5. What types of uses is Cornish McManus' "sweet" rifle put to during the novel?

6. How long does Cornish McManus own his "sweet" rifle before he sells it?

7. What does John Byam use the "sweet" rifle for?

8. Describe how the British are presented in the novel.

9. The cover image of several common editions of the book shows a highly-engraved flintlock rifle. Does the book describe the rifle as being engraved?

10. The "sweet" rifle shoots a .40 caliber ball; most rifles of the period shot a much, much larger ball. Does the small caliber of the "sweet" rifle reduce its killing capability?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does the novel spend so much time characterizing Richard Allen Mesinger? After all, his interaction with the rifle lasts less than one second and the narrative makes it clear that Mesinger never even knew he was being killed. Within the narrative, what difference does it make that Mesinger was who he was?

Essay Topic 2

Is the book a novel or a political screed? Defend your selection.

Essay Topic 3

In today's terms, John Byam would be called a sniper. Discuss the role of snipers in today's military actions. Is the role of a sniper somehow immoral? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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