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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. The message of this book is presented by the author with a strong bias for which he does not do what?

2. What does Miller believe makes one useless in human society?

3. As a child, which animal does Miller most want to own?

4. Miller asks for what from the reader?

5. What metaphor does Miller use to describe the role of elders in transferring information to the next generation?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 4, Miller begins to understand the importance of a relationship with God as a "father figure." What does he learn?

2. In Chapters 5 and 6, Miller makes a connection between authority and love. Describe this connection.

3. In Chapter 3, Miller admits to being resentful towards authority figures. To whom is he referring and why?

4. In Chapter 6, Miller admits to having difficulties in establishing positive male relationships. What reasons does Miller give for having difficulty establishing positive male influences in his life?

5. What does Miller learn about family from living with the MacMurray family?

6. The author's writing style should appeal to whom?

7. According to the information in the prologue, who is the intended audience for this book?

8. Miller describes how on their first musth, young, orphaned elephants go into the wild and find a male mentor who shows them how to be a male elephant. If the young elephant cannot do this, what happens to the young elephant?

9. What kind of experience did writing this book provide the author?

10. Miller suggests that as a child he was attracted to stories about dwarfs and dragons. In particular, he wanted to own and ride a dragon. He believes that the dragon took on the role of a father figure. What characteristics of the dragon do you believe remind him of a father figure?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Miller's writes personally and passionately about the negative impact on boys' lives that are raised without a father. However, females raised without a father figure also experience significant negative impacts. Compare and contract the impact of the lack of a father figure on females in today's society.

Essay Topic 2

Decision making is an important task of manhood according to Miller. Many young men raised without fathers are poorly prepared for this responsibility. Miller suggests that a father's presence is crucial to the development of decision-making skills. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons to support your decision.

Essay Topic 3

Most books have many characters. Memoirs, in particular, are often very focused on a person and his/her family. Who were the primary characters in this book? What techniques did the author present these characters to the reader? What do you know about these characters? What do you believe should have been shared with the reader that was not? Do the characters change across the book? If yes, how? What are the strengths of the way in the primary characters were presented? The limitations? How did you respond to these characters as the book developed.

(see the answer keys)

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