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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 put Merton on the academic path to Cambridge University?

2. How does Merton describe his mother?

3. What is Merton silent about in Part 1, Chapter 4?

4. What did Pop allow the 15-year-old Merton to do that really impressed him?

5. What is the Jester?

Short Essay Questions

1. What factors influenced Merton in pursuing a graduate degree in English?

2. What does Merton hope to experience in Olean?

3. What does his teaching job at St. Bonaventure mean to Merton?

4. How does Merton feel about his younger brother?

5. What are some of the internal struggles Merton faces in Part 1, Chapter 3?

6. What experiences in England helped Thomas to be more content?

7. How is it shown in Part 1, Chapter 3, that literature was important in Merton's life?

8. What significant event in Merton's monastic life forms part of the Epilogue?

9. What does Merton learn from the abscessed tooth he suffers?

10. Who does Merton credit with providing his only real religious training in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Merton was admitted to Cambridge University in England, but he never attends classes there, choosing instead to go the Columbia University in New York. What does this decision and the events surrounding it show about Merton's character and personality?

Essay Topic 2

Merton's relationship with sports is complicated. He participates in them, but doesn't feel that he has the ability to excel. Compare and contrast the benefits and disadvantages Merton receives from playing sports at Columbia. What does his choice of sports tell the reader about his personality?

Essay Topic 3

Merton's mother died during the early formative years of his life. Merton's father was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1929 and died during Merton's adolescence. Using examples from the book, compare and contrast the impact on Merton's life of each of these deaths.

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