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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 longitudinal exterior shape of the barrel of Cornish McManus' "sweet" rifle?
2. When Cornish McManus test fires his rifle for accuracy, from what range does he choose to shoot?
3. Why does Tim Harrow stop in a small town in Missouri?
4. During the Revolutionary war period a typical rifle was accurate at what distance?
5. In the rifle that Cornish McManus builds, what strikes a steel surface to fire the gun?
Short Essay Questions
1. Most gunsmiths would test their barrels early in the manufacturing process, to avoid wasting time finishing faulty barrels. Cornish McManus does not test his barrel until the entire gun is finished. Why?
2. Cornish McManus is astounded when his "sweet" rifle puts three balls into one ragged hole at thirty paces (about 75 feet) while shooting from a solid rest. By today's accuracy standards is McManus' rifle's performance astounding?
3. When Cornish McManus built his "sweet" rifle, what did he probably imagine it would be used for?
4. What aspect of Cornish McManus's personality, that John Waynewright dislikes, allows him to build a "sweet" rifle?
5. Do you think that John Byam "got his money's worth" out of the "sweet" rifle?
6. Why does Cornish McManus decide to sell the "sweet" rifle, one of his most-cherished possessions?
7. The cover image of several common editions of the book shows a left-handed flintlock rifle. Does the book describe the rifle as being left-handed?
8. In reviewing John Byam's actions in the novel, would you consider him a hero?
9. Is the "sweet" rifle evil?
10. Does the "sweet" rifle have a will of its own?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Cornish McManus is described as an excellent gunsmith but an indifferent shot. Discuss how it is possible to be very good at one thing but not very good at something else that is closely associated.
Essay Topic 2
Discuss the role of the characterization of Tim Harrow in the novel. Why is Tim even characterized? Why is he characterized as a fringe "crazy"? What role does the character play in the novel?
Essay Topic 3
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?
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This section contains 609 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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