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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. How is Sabbath related to Asa?

2. What type of car does Motes buy in Taulkinham?

3. How long did Hazel Motes spend in the military before returning home?

4. Which of his mother's possessions did Motes bring with him when he joined the military?

5. Where is Sabbath's mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Mrs. Flood, and what is her relationship to Moats?

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

3. From where does Motes purchase his new car?

4. How does Solace Layfield die?

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

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

7. Who is Asa Hawks?

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

9. What is Motes' first impression of Enoch Emory?

10. How does Emory get his revenge on Gongo the Gorilla?

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

In the story "Revelation", Mrs. Turpin's favorite past time is organizing groups of people into a hierarchy. First, describe the hierarchy that Mrs. Turpin creates when she is sitting in the doctor's office with Claud. Who is at the top of this ladder? Who is at the bottom? Then, compare / contrast this hierarchy to the hierarchy Mrs. Turpin sees in her final revelation. Who is at the top of this ladder? Who is at the bottom? Finally, describe Mrs. Turpin's emotional reaction to her revelation of Heaven. How do you think this revelation will change the way Mrs. Turpin views the world and the people in it? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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