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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. Buechner gave a series of lectures at which prestigious school?

2. How old is Freddy when he begins to write his memoir?

3. How old is Freddy at this time?

4. Freddy compared the island to which of the following?

5. What color was the sweater Mr. Buechner was wearing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Examine the author's tale of the suppression of grief following his father's death. How does the family run away from the situation?

2. Who is Mrs. Taylor? What was her relationship to Freddy?

3. What is the first sign that the world is not always a safe place for little Freddy?

4. Who is Frederick Buechner? Why is this book important?

5. What is Buechner's reference to Eden regarding childhood mentality?

6. Discuss Freddy's favorite book as a child. Which character was Freddy's favorite?

7. Why does Buechner use Eden as a reference? How does it relate to the way people see the world? What is the main difference between the views of adults and children?

8. How does Freddy carry this character into his future studies and beliefs?

9. What is Freddy's opinion regarding the memories of the dead?

10. Did Buechner leave a suicide note? If so, where was it left and what did it say?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

From early on, Freddy seems to have no clear concept of religion or God. Examine Freddy's early beliefs. Why does Freddy not believe in God? What are the family's religious leanings? Does the family go to church? When is Freddy confirmed? How do other family member's beliefs affect Freddy? What are the beliefs of the others in the family? What about Naya's beliefs is interesting to Freddy? What is the first sign that Freddy might be changing his views? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Freddy was somewhat obsessed with the Land of Oz. From an early age, Freddy was enthralled by the OZ series and its characters. Freddy talks a lot about King Rinkitink. Explain in detail the Land of Oz, its characters, and why it appealed to Freddy.

Essay Topic 3

Ever since the death of Freddy's father, the author has had a fear of suicide. Discuss the fear of suicide. Did Freddy have any concrete reason for the fear? Was it a childhood fear? Did the fear stay with Freddy throughout his life? How was it addressed? How did the family deal with the death? What about the experience made Freddy afraid that he was destined to follow in his father's footsteps? Also discuss the suicide of the uncle and how it affected Freddy and the rest of the family. Was Freddy correct in wondering if the propensity to commit suicide was hereditary?

(see the answer keys)

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