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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. Who does Ike believe is the rightful owner of the hunting land that he lives on with McCaslin?

2. What is Boon doing under the tree when Ike falls upon him?

3. After a boy kills his first deer in the woods, what does the boy traditionally do with that deer's blood?

4. How does Old Ben react when the young boy falls upon him in the bushes?

5. Which beverage do the hunters drink when they are bored during their hunting trips?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Ike visit with as he rides through the woods one last time?

2. What happens when the convict meets the woman of his dreams at a refugee camp?

3. How does Ike respond when he learns that he has inherited a large chunk of land from his father's will?

4. Who finally sells the land on which the hunting camp once stood?

5. What crime does Ike accuse his grandfather or committing, and what proof does he have of this crime?

6. How does Ike live his life after he decides not to accept his inherited land?

7. How did Ash attempt to outshine Ike as children, and what was the result of his attempt?

8. What casualties are incurred while Old Ben is fighting for his life in the moments before his death?

9. According to Sam, what mistake does the young boy make when he goes out into the woods in search of Old Ben on his own?

10. Who is Ash?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Halfway through the story, "The Bear", Faulkner completely changes his use of grammar and punctuation. First, describe the narrative style Faulkner employs in the first half of the novel and compare / contrast that to the narrative style he employs in the second half of the novel. What prompts the change in Faulkner's writing style halfway through the novel? What is accomplished by this change is style? What is lost? In the end, do you think the change in narrative style was effective, or successful? Why or why not? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you believe help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Many critics argue that "Spotted Horses" is a story written as a critique of the marketing world, claiming that Hipps, essentially, dupes the farmers into buying what they do not need. How might this story be a critique of capitalism in society? Write a short response explaining whether or not you support this argument from the critics. Be sure to give at least two examples from the text that you believe strengthen your argument.

Essay Topic 3

The moral of the story of "The Bear" has much to do with race relations in the South. First, describe the way that Ike learns his family history of race relations in the South. What is his reaction to this personal history? Then, explain how the bear, Old Ben, is used a symbol to represent race relations in the South. Do you think the bear is an appropriate symbol for this theme? Why or why not? As a reader, how does the symbol of the bear give you a better, deeper understanding of race relations in the South? Be sure to include at least two examples from the text that you think help strengthen your arguments.

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