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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 old was Mason Tarwater when he died?

2. In what type of establishment did Mason live when he was not in the mental institution?

3. What does Francis tell Rayber he will do with Bishop before he kills him?

4. What weapon did Mason pull on Rayber when he came to collect Francis after the kidnapping?

5. Which of the following activities does Francis refuse to do while he is living with Rayber?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Francis rebel against Mason after his death?

2. Who is Lucette, and what impact does she have on Rayber when the meet?

3. How does Bishop die?

4. Why does Rayber agree to take Francis in and take care of him?

5. Why does Francis fear having to bury his uncle at the opening of the story,"The Violent Bear it Away"?

6. What type of interaction does Francis have with the first truck driver that picks him up from the side of the road?

7. How was Mason Tarwater buried?

8. What event at the science museum jars Rayber into remembering his own religious childhood?

9. Who is Francis' "stranger" who is later referred to as his "friend"?

10. How does Francis prove his difficult nature to Rayber after moving in with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Julian and his mother rely on their appearances to distinguish themselves from the rest of the outside community. First, describe the way Julian relies on appearance to distinguish himself from those around him. How does he use his appearance, either physical or emotional, to segregate himself? Then, compare / contrast Julian's method of superiority with his mother's method of superiority. How does Julian's mother use her appearance to distinguish herself in the community? Why is being distinguished important to each of these character? How does it affect their relationship to each other? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

The hat Julian's mother wears is one of great significance in the story "Everything that Rises Must Converge." First, describe Julian's mother's hat and describe her relationship to it. Why is this hat important to her? Then, describe what Julian thinks of his mother's hat and what his reaction is when he realizes the black woman on the bus is wearing an identical one. How does the hat become a symbol not for segregation, as Julian's mother intended, but for equality? What message do you think O'Connor is sending her readers about racial equality through the symbol of the hat? Be sure to include examples from the text to 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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