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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 medical problem plagued Merton on a backpacking trip in the Rhine Valley?

2. How does Merton describe his fellow students in France?

3. Why does Owen Merton travel so frequently?

4. What philosophy does Merton explore while at the university?

5. Who is Bramachari?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why might Merton have been embarrassed by his grandfather's visit to France?

2. How does the death of Merton's mother affect him?

3. What does Mark Van Doren do that made Merton afraid of losing his dream?

4. How does Merton feel about his younger brother?

5. Why does Merton attend Zion Church?

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

7. After the death of his father, why does Merton consider himself to be a rebel in New York?

8. What characterizes the life of Merton's parents?

9. How did Merton feel about moving to England?

10. What prompts Merton to attend his first Mass?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Merton mentions "love affairs" in his book, but provides few details about the women involved. Why is Merton so secretive about his romantic relationships? How could having more details about the women in his life help the reader have a better understanding of Merton's character?

Essay Topic 2

Merton loves his grandfather, but is also embarrassed by his actions. Does Merton show any contradictory feelings about anything or anyone else in his life? What actions does he take in response to these feelings?

Essay Topic 3

Merton speaks of his parents' dislike of "spooky prejudices that devour people." What, in your opinion, are some examples of these "spooky prejudices" and does the rejection of these things by Merton's father and mother make them better or worse as parents? Do you think that Merton carried on the legacy of his parents in his adult life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 777 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample