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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 does Motes fill his shoes with as penance for sins?

2. What branch of the military did Hazel Motes serve in?

3. How does Motes kill Shoals?

4. Where does Enoch Emory work?

5. How does Emory get the Gonga suit from its owner?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Mrs. Wally Bee Hitchcock?

2. What state is Motes' house in when he returns home from the army?

3. Who is Mrs. Watts?

4. What story does Sabbath tell Motes about her childhood that makes him pity her?

5. Where does Motes sleep on his first night home from the army?

6. Where does Motes first meet Sabbath Hawks?

7. What obsessive acts does Enoch Emory engage in to feel closer to mankind?

8. What is the aftermath of Layfield's death on Moat's life?

9. What does fellow street preacher Hoover Shoats do that affects the following in Moats' congregation?

10. What was Motes' reaction when he was drafted to the army?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the characters in the story "Wise Blood" have a near obsession with money and materialism. First, describe the way that Motes views materialism in relationship to living a good life. How does Motes feel about himself when people notice his material wealth? How does he feel about himself when people notice his spirituality? For Motes, how are materialism and religion inextricably intertwined? Which, in Motes' perspective, leads to a better life, having money, or having a clean soul? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Both Mason and Francis Tarwater have an extreme obsession with the Roman Catholic tradition of baptism. Why was this ceremony so important to Mason? What message did he pass on to Francis about the importance of baptism? Then, describe Francis' personal mission to get his cousin, Bishop, baptized. Why did Francis think this particular baptism was so important? What methods did Francis attempt to get Bishop properly baptized? Finally, describe the events the lead up to Bishop's inadvertent baptism in the fishing lake. How did the baptism lead to death? What symbolism can be found in the parallelism of baptism and crucifixion in Bishop's case? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Enoch Emory is generally considered to be one of the most pathetic and sympathetic characters in all of modern literature. First, describe Enoch Emory's character. What motivated him in life? What did he have to show for all the effort he put into his work? Then, describe what Emory's greatest desire in life was. How did this desire lead to Emory stealing the gorilla suit at the end of the story? In the end, do you think Emory was happy with the way his life ended? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe help to strengthen your arguments.

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This section contains 1,190 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample