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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. Who does Jeanne say came up with the idea of the Honey Hunt in Chapter Fifty-three?

2. What is the name of the German captive who Eli spent time with?

3. Whose story is related in Chapter Sixty-one?

4. When does the narrative take place in Chapter Sixty-three?

5. What is the name of the gun salesman that Eli’s company encounters during their raid in Chapter Fifty-two?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think the Colonel wants Maria out of his home in Chapter Thirty-three?

2. Describe Eli’s narrative tone in Chapter Forty. What are examples of humor used in the chapter?

3. How does Jeanne come to be knocked unconscious in Chapter Sixty-nine?

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

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

6. Why does Peter express unhappiness about the discovery of oil on his family’s land?

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

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

9. What is represented symbolically by the feud between the McCulloughs and the Garcias and its aftermath in the novel?

10. How does Peter respond to Maria’s presence and her need for help in Chapter Thirty?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of “history versus reality” in The Son. How reliable are the narrators of the story? Do you believe that each of the narrators is relating direct truth? Why or why not? How does “history” from the books differ from the realities of the past? How are these differences highlighted in the novel?

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 Eli’s encounter with the buffalo hunter that is taken captive by the Indians, and Eli’s actions, objectives, and obstacles in helping the man. What dangers does Eli face by killing the buffalo hunter? How does Eli go about poisoning the man? Why does Eli poison him?

(see the answer keys)

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