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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 Francis dream about when he falls asleep in the truck driver's cab on his way back to the farm?

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

3. How old was George Rayber when Mason kidnapped him?

4. How does Francis react when he finds Mason's still on the farm?

5. How old is Francis when Mason Tarwater dies?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Mason Tarwater admitted into a mental institution, and how did he get out?

2. How was Mason Tarwater buried?

3. What type of interaction does Francis have with the second driver that picks him up from the side of the road?

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

5. What is Francis' initial reaction when he meets his cousin, Bishop?

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

7. How did George Rayber come to live with his uncle, Mason?

8. How did George Rayber go deaf?

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

10. What events lead up to Francis vomiting in a lake?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

On several occasions in the story "The Violent Bear it Away," Francis has conversations with a voice that is first called a "stranger" and then a "friend." First, describe who / what you think this voice intended to represent? Is it Francis' inner self against which he is arguing? Then, explain what advice Francis' inner voice gives to him. Do you think Francis is receiving good advice from the voice? Why or why not? Finally, at the end of the story, the voice tells Francis to, "Go warn the children of God of the terrible speed of mercy." What do you think is the significance of these words? Do you think Francis listens to this advice? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text to help 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

Throughout his adult life, Mason Tarwater often tried to communicate with Rayber, whom he considered to be his lost son. One of the methods through which Mason communicated with Rayber was through a journal. Why did Mason start writing in Rayber's journal in the first place? What was Rayber's reaction to the journal when it was unearthed? Finally, explain what you think the meaning of the message, "The prophet I will raise up out of this boy will burn your eyes clean," which Mason wrote to Rayber about Francis. Did the old man's promise ever come true? Does Tarwater ever open Rayber's eyes? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

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This section contains 1,215 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample