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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 arrives in the mail on the same day that Peter sends his sons to war in Chapter Twenty-four?

2. What is the date of Peter’s opening diary entry in Chapter Sixty-two?

3. When is Chapter Twenty-six set?

4. By what does slang term does Sally call Maria when she tells Peter she is coming to visit in Chapter Fifty-one?

5. When does Eli say that their commission as Rangers ran out in Chapter Forty-six?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the earliest conflict between the Garcias and the McCulloughs, as illustrated in Chapter Fifty-nine?

2. How is Jeanne affected by Hank’s death in the novel?

3. What circumstances lead to Peter’s isolation on the ranch in Chapter Twenty-four?

4. Why do Eli’s troops raid the Federal soldiers in Chapter Fifty-two? What happens during the raid?

5. How does the relationship between Eli and Ellen develop in Chapters Thirty-three through Thirty-seven?

6. Discuss Eli’s views of slavery in the novel. How are these views illustrated when he joins the Civil War efforts?

7. What does Eli gain from the raid in Chapter Fifty-two? What do the Indians gain?

8. What are Jeanne’s perceptions of the “Honey Hunt” she attends in Chapter Fifty-three?

9. What events and circumstances lead Eli to the cattle industry in Chapter Fifty-five?

10. How does the relationship between Hank and Jeanne develop in Chapter Thirty-two?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze Peter’s relationship with Sally in the novel. How did Peter and Sally meet? What was their courtship like? How would you describe their relationship after marriage? Why does Sally go to Dallas and how does Peter respond to her leaving?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the nonlinear structure of The Son and the differing narrative styles established in the novel. How does the language style of each of the narrators differ? Does the narrative style reflect the time periods in which the story takes place? Why do you think the author chose to structure the novel in this way?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the theme of “America’s creation myth” in The Son. How would you describe your personal idea of the creation myth of America? How is this myth displayed in the novel? Do you think that author Philipp Meyer brings up questions of the myth of America in the course of his story? How?

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