View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What word is used to describe Freddy at this point in his life?

2. What food was Buechner eating when he had a breakthrough?

3. All the characters seemed to be dying except for ______.

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

5. The enemy is referred to as being ______.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens to Freddy after he is discharged from the Army?

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

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

5. Explain the atmosphere at Princeton. What is the cause of the students' feelings? How are they handled?

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

7. Discuss the influence of Mr. Martin on Freddy. What does Freddy learn from Martin? What step does Freddy take next?

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

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

10. What is Freddy's financial situation? What does he do about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Finding God seems to be one of Freddy's most challenging and rewarding experiences in life thus far. Write a 750 word essay on Buechner's quest. Include the reason Freddy began the search, when and how the search for God replaced Freddy's childhood fantasies and connection to King Rinkitink, and how many seemingly fortuitous events led him to the seminary and to his career in religious writings.

Essay Topic 2

Examine Freddy's relationship with Grandma Buechner. What was the relationship between Grandmother and grandson? What about the grandmother's house gave Freddy a sense of security that could be found nowhere else? What was unusual about Grandma Buechner? Why did the family turn to her in a time of need? What was the relationship between Freddy's father and the grandmother? What was the relationship between Kathy and her mother-in-law? How did the woman continue to influence Freddy's life?

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,083 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample