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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. What impresses Merton about St. Antonin?

2. Who does Merton say gave him the only valuable religious and moral training he had received?

3. Who is Mark Van Doren?

4. When was Merton's brother born?

5. What did Pop tell Merton while Owen was ill?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Merton feel about his younger brother?

2. How did Merton feel about moving to England?

3. Why does Merton file draft papers as a noncombatant instead of as a conscientious objector?

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

5. In Part 3, Chapter 1, how does the reader know that God is the main focus of Merton's thoughts?

6. Why does Merton downgrade his ability to play sports?

7. Why does Merton introduce characters like Andrew into his story?

8. How does Merton feel about living with his father's friends after his mother's death?

9. What is Merton's reaction to having to withdraw his application to the monastery?

10. What is the purpose of the essay in the Epilogue?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Merton initially decides to join the Franciscans because Dan Walsh recommended the Order, believing it had an "easier" Rule than other religious Orders. Using what you know of Merton's personality from his book, discuss the influence other people have on his decisions. Support your answer with examples.

Essay Topic 2

Merton had spoken with his Aunt Maude about becoming a journalist or writing novels, but changes his mind at Columbia and decides to teach. What was Merton's motivation for making this decision and what did he hope to accomplish? Does he succeed in meeting these goals? Please support your answers with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Merton experienced times of unhappiness during his childhood. What experiences described in the book show that Merton was sometimes unhappy as a child? Discuss the impact of these childhood experiences on Merton's later life.

(see the answer keys)

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