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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 food item is the pregnant refugee given, which disturbs the convict?

2. What is Eck's expectation when he enters the court to defend himself against Tull?

3. How does Hipps feel about Mississippi as he drives away after the auction?

4. How does the doctor react when he learns the truth about the convict's past?

5. What was the fat convict convicted of stealing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Mrs. Armsted arrives at Snopes' store to collect the money she is owed from the horse auction?

2. What crime did the fat convict plead guilty to in court, and why?

3. How many people in the prison know the true crime that the fat convict committed?

4. How do the Mississippi farmers plan to wrangle the horses after Hipps skips town?

5. Where is the refugee woman's baby born?

6. How does the story of "The Old Man" open?

7. How does Hipps treat the wild horses that he brings in from Texas to sell in Mississippi?

8. How does Snopes treat Mrs. Armstid in court when she brings up a case against him?

9. What are Eck's expectations when he enters the court on the day of his trial?

10. What is the first thing the convict does when he is aboard the Red Cross steamboat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the strongest themes in the story "The Old Man" is the theme of fear, particularly the fears of the tall convict. First, create a list of fears that the tall prisoner has. Then, choose one of those fears and explain how the fear affects the relationships he forms in his life. Finally, explain whether or not the convict conquers this fear in the story and how he does so. If he doesn't conquer this fear, explain how the convict lets the fear overtake his life. Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

In the opening of "The Old Man", the readers meet two convicts that are serving time for various crimes. First, describe the crimes of the fat convict and compare / contrast those crimes with the crimes of the tall convict. What is the same about their crimes? What is different? Then, explain why each of these men is actually in prison and what their reactions to their sentences are. What message do you think Faulkner is sending his readers about guilt and punishment through the example of these two convicts?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout his life, the tall convict questions what it means to have a "normal" life outside of prison. First, describe the reaction the tall convict has to the pregnant refugee he is ordered to save. What does this woman teach the tall convict about life on "the outside"? Then, explain the reaction the tall convict has to the young woman he meets in the refugee camp. What does this woman teach the tall convict about life on the outside? Finally, explain which woman you think had a deeper impact on the convict, and who the convict will be thinking about while finishing his sentence behind bars. Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

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