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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. As Buechner ages, his perception of ______ changes.

2. The author states that ______ is often responsible for significant moments in one's life.

3. At this point in the story, Buechner decides to move to which city?

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

5. Buechner refers to which one of his teachers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of Freddy's fear regarding his home life? What events take place to solidify those fears?

2. Examine the impact of the attack on Pearl Harbor as it affects the human spirit.

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

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

5. Discuss the situation between Freddy and the minister. What was the purpose of the meeting?

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. Examine Freddy's experience at the monastery. Did it turn out as planned?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Freddy exhibits mental instability while he was in the army. What is your opinion on the issue? Was Freddy simply scared of the orders, or were there other factors at work? Do you think the meltdown experienced by Freddy was caused by the situation or was it residual from his childhood? What was the reaction of the commanding officer? What happened to Freddy after he broke down? How did it affect his career? Was Freddy ordered to get help? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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