View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Whose methods do Paul's match?

2. Where does Frankie Pigeon need to be picked up?

3. What does Paul show Phuoc?

4. How does Paul get to Elisabethville?

5. About what does Molly worry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly sum up Molly's week with the Websters.

2. How does Paul finally break Pigeon and why does his method work? What do they do with Pigeon?

3. What are Paul's instructions to the two men who are to break Pigeon?

4. What information does Paul get from Klimenko when they meet again?

5. What do Paul and Tom discuss as they are at the bar having hot buttered rum?

6. What is the response to Paul's report at the meeting and what does Trumbull decide to do and why?

7. What does Ruiz tell Paul about the recruiting of Oswald?

8. How does Gherman Klimenko convince Paul that Klimenko knows Paul is not just a journalist.

9. How does the evening with Tom and Sybille go for Paul and Molly and what slightly mars the evening?

10. What happens to all the Cubans but Ruiz and why not Ruiz? What does Nsango ask about Ruiz?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 7, when Paul declares he will resume his work, Ho mocks his bravado, but the Truong toc shows Paul Molly's picture, taken in Rome. Discuss the following:

1. Why it is more effective to threaten Paul with Molly's safety than his own? Do you think this is often the case for humans--i.e., that threats to their loved ones to illicit compliance is more effective than threats to one's own self?

2. Sybille Webster is angry that Paul is determined to stay with Molly because she thinks it endangers both of them. Do you think she is right to be angry? Do you think it is up to Molly whether she wants to risk death if she stays with Paul? Would it be right for Paul to make that decision for Molly? Discuss fully with details from the book.

3. Sybille Webster is also angry that Paul decides to investigate JFK's murder because it puts Paul's life at risk. Why do you think Paul thinks his life is worth knowing the truth? Do you think the truth is worth the lives that are lost in finding it? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 7, Paul goes to Luong's wake, where Roman Catholic and Buddhist practices are intertwined. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze throughout the novel how Roman Catholic and Buddhist practices are intertwined, along with other belief systems such as numerology. Why do you think this happens? Does it invalidate or strengthen each religion? Do you think those who incorporate both religions into their personal belief system believe either path is "right"? Why or why not?

2. Trace and analyze throughout the novel how Western cultural influences are merged with those of the Vietnamese. Does this strengthen or weaken the Vietnamese culture? Their political system? Their traditions?

3. When a stronger nation conquers a weaker nation, some assimilation takes place between both cultures. Discuss this concept, particularly the pros and cons of the assimilation. Has a culture that is conquered ever failed to adopt any of the conquering nation's culture? (This question may require research to answer).

Essay Topic 3

Intelligence work, at least as far as this novel is concerned, can be dangerous business. Discuss one of the following:

1. What are some of the dangers of intelligence work specified or implied in THE TEARS OF AUTUMN? Illustrate with specific examples from the text.

2. Do you think intelligence work in the "real" world is more or less dangerous than that which is stated or implied in THE TEARS OF AUTUMN? Explain fully. (This may require some research).

3. Why do you think those characters in THE TEARS OF AUTUMN who choose intelligence work do so? Discuss and compare the motives for intelligence work by Paul, Tom Webster, David Patchen, Nsango, Luong, Trevor Hitchcock, and Klimenko. Each of these may have different reasons. Discuss fully with examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,555 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample