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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. In what year did the Colonel die, according to Jeanne in Chapter Seventeen?

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. What year is described by Jeanne in Chapter Twenty?

5. How is Eli McCullough related to Jeanne McCullough?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you describe the narrative style of the first three chapters of the novel?

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

3. How are the living conditions of the Indians described in Chapter Nineteen?

4. How does Sally respond to the situation after Charles has shot Dutch Hollis? Why does Peter disagree with Sally?

5. How do Eli and Martin differ in their response to the circumstances once they are captives in Chapter Four?

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

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

8. What are Jeanne’s perceptions of her classmates at the girl’s boarding school in Chapter Seventeen?

9. How are Peter and Eli McCullough different in their outlooks and approaches to life?

10. What internal conflicts does Peter face when Charles shoots Dutch Hollis?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characters of Jeanne McCullough and Eli McCullough in the novel. How are Jeanne and her great-grandfather alike? How do they differ? What kind of relationship did Jeanne have with the Colonel before he died?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the setting that is established in Chapter One of The Son. Where and when was Eli McCullough born? How does he describe the world that he grew up in? What are some examples of imagery from the chapter that help to develop a tone surrounding this setting? What influence does this setting have on Eli’s character?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the settings of the McCullough ranch and the adjoining Garcia land that is purchased in the novel. How many acres do the McCulloughs and the Garcias own? What does the land look like? What do you think the McCullough and Garcia lands represent symbolically in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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