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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. About how much money do the McCulloughs pay for the Garcias’ land?

2. What Indian tribe do the people belong to that have raided Eli’s home and kidnapped him in Chapter Four?

3. When is Chapter Twenty-two set?

4. How many bedrooms are described in Jeanne McCullough’s home in Chapter Two?

5. Who does Peter say was murdered in the night and his store looted in Chapter Nine?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Peter’s account of the incident with the Garcias differ from his father’s in Chapter Six?

2. How does Eli’s relationship with Toshaway develop during Eli’s capture in Chapters Nine through Thirteen?

3. What is related about Eli McCullough’s early life in Chapter One? Why do you think this information is important?

4. How is the theme of gender bias illustrated in Chapters Nine through Thirteen?

5. How are the circumstances of Eli’s Indian tribe described in 1851 in Chapter Twenty-two?

6. What concerns Jeanne the most as she faces her own death in Chapter Five?

7. What gender biases does Jeanne face growing up, as seen in Chapters Fourteen through Seventeen?

8. How is sexual promiscuity among the Indians described in Chapters Nine through Thirteen?

9. How is Peter’s relationship with the Garcia family illustrated in Chapter Three?

10. What items are taken when Eli’s family’s home is ambushed by the Indians in Chapter Four? Why are they taken?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the reasons that Toshaway’s tribe feels justified in their raids in Texas and the southwest. Do you think that the Indians were justified, granted the behavior of the whites? Why or why not? How might these matters have been addressed differently?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Peter McCullough’s account of the conflicts between the McCullough and Garcia families. How does Peter’s account of the events differ from his father’s? Who do you think is relating the truth of the matter? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of “imparting a personal legacy” in The Son. What advice does the Colonel give to Jeanne McCullough regarding her own personal legacy and the importance of putting one’s name on something? Do you think that this is sound advice? Why or why not? How is this theme illustrated through imagery and characters in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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