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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. Who calls Buechner shortly before dinner is served?

2. Who was Buechner having dinner with when he received the phone call?

3. What language does Buechner study?

4. How many years does it take Buechner to grieve over his father's death?

5. What type of furniture was referred to as being "ragged?"

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Buechner view the "beyond time" events that occur after he leaves Princeton?

2. Examine Freddy's new life in boarding school. How does Freddy relate to the other kids?

3. The story about Naya foreshadows an issue faced by Buechner in years to come. What is the issue? Why does it occur?

4. How does the movement into adulthood help Freddy to understand that there are significant moments in one's life?

5. What happens to the Buechners after they leave Bermuda?

6. How does religion begin to creep into Freddy's work? What comparisons are made to other works of art?

7. What do the woman and the boy have in common?

8. What positive event occurred at the end of the weekend at the monastery?

9. Once again the Buechners are faced with a family tragedy. What is the tragedy? How does it affect Freddy?

10. How does this theme relate to Buechner's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Freddy's relationship with Naya and Grandpa Kuhn. What was the relationship between Kathy's parents and the boys? What about the grandparents' house gave the Buechners a sense of security that could be found nowhere else? What was unusual about Naya? What was the relationship like between Kathy and her parents? How did Naya continue to influence Freddy's life?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

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