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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. Why does Paul love Molly?
2. Where is the safe house in Washington, D.C.?
3. What does Foley insist JFK will do?
4. Why do the Ngos see Oswald as useful?
5. What do David and Paul think can be used to find the truth in any situation?
Short Essay Questions
1. What demonstrates that Paul is still at risk despite the Truong toc saying Paul is harmless and to let him live?
2. What is ironic about Piero Cremona's statement about the United States Marines when reading this book in the present time?
3. How do Paul and his Paul's ex-wife view Paul's talent at seeing mental images?
4. What is the Truong toc and which Truong toc does Paul talk with and what transpires?
5. Give a brief description of Paul Christopher.
6. Describe Paul's visit with the Ngo Truong toc.
7. Briefly describe the discussion during the dinner with Christopher, the Websters, Foley and Peggy McKinney.
8. Describe the dinner conversation between Kim and Paul.
9. Briefly discuss Paul and David's friendship and what they have in common.
10. What do David and Paul talk about when they meet at the Statler Hotel?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
John F. Kennedy is the President of the United States at the opening of THE TEARS OF AUTUMN. Discuss one of the following:
1. Research the Kennedy's administration's policy in Vietnam and discuss how this policy affected the Ngo family. How accurate is McCarry's portrayal of the Kennedy administration's involvement in Vietnam? Do the historical records of the administration's policy to Vietnam differ compared to the novel? How?
2. After researching the Kennedy's administration's policy towards Vietnam, discuss whether you think some Vietnamese would be hostile to Kennedy even to the point of assassination. After your research, does McCarry's book seem more realistic or less? Explain.
3. Do you think JFK could be considered a character in the novel? Explain your answer with specific examples from the text. Would you label him as a protagonist or antagonist? How does Kennedy as a character affect the plot of THE TEARS OF AUTUMN?
Essay Topic 2
There are a number of themes developed throughout the novel. Discuss one of the following:
1. Trace and analyze the theme of politics as presented in the novel. Include a discussion of the following questions: Which characters seem most involved in acting out of a concern for politics? Which ones seem to dismiss politics as a reason for actions? How does the political climate inform the main characters' actions? What do you think is the implied belief about politics in the novel? Use specific examples to develop your essay.
2. Trace and analyze the theme of power as presented in the novel. Include a discussion of the following questions: How would you define power as a concept developed in this novel? Do the powerful hold all the "chips"? How do those with less power manage to ignore or circumvent the restrictions/requirements placed upon them by those with greater power? Is power ever used for ethical goals in the novel? For unethical goals? Which characters wield the most power in The Tears of Autumn? Which characters have the least power? How does the amount of power each character wields affect their lives and their impact on the plot?
Essay Topic 3
In Chapter 4, Foley believes Paul is obsessed and questions David's objectivity. Foley is as wildly defensive of the dead JFK as he had been of the living, vibrant one he continues to imitate (he still wears the PT-109 tie clasp). Discuss the following:
1. Who seems most obsessed about Kennedy, both while Kennedy is alive and after his death? What is ironic about Foley thinking Paul is obsessed? Who seems to deal with JFK's death in a more healthy manner--Paul or Foley? Or is either grieving in a healthy way?
2. What do you think the PT-109 tie clasp epitomizes or is symbolic of? What happens when a person dies suddenly or while fairly young (relatively speaking) who is larger than life while alive? Can you think of some recent examples with which to compare the death of Kennedy? (hint: Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze, etc.).
3. Paul chooses to put his life in danger in order to ferret out the truth behind JFK's assassination. Is this a cause worth risking one's own life and the lives of those one is close to?
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This section contains 1,665 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
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