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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 old is Richard Allen Mesington when he has his first crush on Peggy?

2. From age nine to ten, Richard Allen Mesington believes he will pursue which profession?

3. After whom was Richard Allen Mesington named?

4. Who is Richard Allen Mesington's best friend?

5. How does Richard Allen Mesinger die?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the chain of events that leads to the rifle being accidentally discharged.

2. Describe the early life of Richard Allen Mesinger .

3. Why does the novel spend so much time characterizing Richard Allen Mesinger?

4. The novel summarizes the life that Richard Allen Mesinger "would" have had if he had not been killed. Is this a valid narrative technique?

5. Why don't the Mesinger and the Kline children play together?

6. How does the rifle fire after 217 years?

7. The novel openly mocks Tim Harrow's personal philosophy that draws from firearms and American history, the United States Constitution, and Christianity. Do you think that these sources of information are suitable for mockery?

8. Sarah steals the rifle from John Byam as he dies; does Tilson steal the rifle from Harv Kline?

9. Throughout the 217 year history of the "sweet" rifle, what is it functionally used for?

10. What experiences does Mesinger have with firearms in his life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, the black powder rifle discharges after 217 of being loaded. Is this credible? Or is it merely a piece of melodrama to establish a political opinion within the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Why does the novel "need" to have the accidental discharge come from an old muzzle-loading, black powder rifle? Wouldn't the novel work just as well with an AK-47 hanging above Kline's mantel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Of the major characters in the novel (Cornish McManus, John Byam, Tim Harrow, Harv Kline, and Richard Allen Mesinger), are any of them heroic? If not, why not. If so, who is heroic and why do you consider them heroic?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 650 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample