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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 kind of wood was Howard's father's canoe made from that he recalls in Chapter 3?

2. What historical figure is Howard studying in history when his father goes to the meeting regarding his mental deterioration in Chapter 3?

3. Edward Billings is the manager of what bank frequented by George?

4. What year is it when Howard dies in Chapter 4?

5. For how long does Howard's mother insist he not speak in order for his tongue to heal after his first seizure in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. What regret does Howard display regarding his father in the beginning of Chapter 3?

2. What is the significance of the title of Tinkers? Who does this term apply to in the novel?

3. When is the last time George awakens before he dies? What does he relate after awakening?

4. What is symbolic about the descriptions of Reverend Crosby fading from Howard's vision in Chapter 3, Part 1?

5. Where does Howard go to search for his father after Reverend Crosby's disappearance in Chapter 3?

6. How would you describe the language style of Tinkers? Is the language easy to understand?

7. Where does Megan go during the Christmas holidays in 1953? What does Howard do after she leaves?

8. How do George's memories of his father relate to the theme of rites of passage in Tinkers?

9. How is Howard's death described in Chapter 4? What is this description juxtaposed against?

10. What is epilepsy? How was this disorder treated in the 1920s/1930s?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the nonlinear aspects of Tinkers. When and where in the story does the narrative go back and forward through time? Why does the author make these abrupt shifts? Why do you think the author chooses not to delineate the transitions in the narrative and time period?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the narrative perspectives employed in Tinkers. Is the main body of the story told from a first, second, or third-person narrator? How does the narrative shift in the novel? What indications does the author give for these changes in narrative style? Is the main narrator’s perspective limited or omniscient? How would the story differ if it were related with a different narrator?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Cullen in the novel. What is Cullen’s business relationship to Howard Crosby? How would you describe Cullen’s business practices? Do you think that Howard gives a fair assessment of Cullen? Why or why not?

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