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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Merton think of Father Edmund's recommendation to apply to the order in August of 1940?

2. What did Merton and his friends grow in Olean?

3. How could Merton have registered for the draft?

4. Where is Merton's brother sent while Thomas is joining the monastery?

5. When does John Paul die?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Merton becomes involved with the student publications at Columbia University. Discuss in detail how working on these publications affects Merton's writing career and his spiritual quest.

Essay Topic 2

As an adult, Merton continues to feel guilty about the way he treated his younger brother when they were children. Describe how this guilt is illustrated in the book. In your opinion, was Merton right to feel guilty?

Essay Topic 3

Merton writes his story using a poetic style and language that is rich in images and connections. Discuss the way Merton's language and imagery supports his description of his book as an "autobiography of faith." Do you think that the way Merton uses images to describe his world is related in any way to the fact that his father and mother were artists? Why or why not?

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This section contains 285 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample