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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 Tarwater want to make clear to Rayber, the "schoolteacher", the morning he goes to his house?

2. When does Tarwater hear the stranger's voice?

3. What does the schoolteacher describe as "coming out of darkness into light"?

4. Who shoots the schoolteacher?

5. What reason does Mason give for his finding a lover for Tarwater's mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What makes Bishop cry when he is dining at the hotel with Tarwater and Rayber?

2. Why does Rayber bring Tarwater breakfast in bed?

3. What happens when Tarwater drinks water from the pump near the Negro shack?

4. During the fishing trip what does Rayber say he does and does not have the guts for?

5. How does Tarwater respond when he runs into Rayber after leaving the church?

6. When Tarwater is looking over Bishop in the fountain, what does he think?

7. When Tarwater is digging the grave for Mason, what does he think of Rayber?

8. What does Tarwater do when he has a hard time thinking of what to say to the woman at the gas station?

9. What does Meeks say about the law of work and the law of love?

10. What becomes apparent to Tarwater after the death of Mason?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Rayber and Tarwater in terms of their religious beliefs, feelings and histories.

Essay Topic 2

Tarwater's internal conflict is centered on baptizing/not baptizing Bishop. Follow this conflict from the beginning of the novel to the end. How do other people affect Tarwater's conflict? How does Tarwater argue for and against baptizing Bishop? Discuss and analyze the resolution.

Essay Topic 3

"The Violent Bear It Away" is considered to be written in the Southern Gothic tradition which includes a setting in the south and the supernatural, among other elements. Find a definition of Southern Gothic tradition and reflect on how this novel fits or does not fit the definition.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 633 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample