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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 Rayber compare Lucette to?

2. Who says they are free?

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

4. How did Mason describe Tarwater's sister?

5. Why does the schoolteacher use the help of a welfare office worker?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rayber say Mason did to Tarwater?

2. How does Meeks say man can get ahead?

3. What condition is Tarwater in when he wakes up in the woods?

4. Why does Rayber bring Tarwater breakfast in bed?

5. Why does Buford come to Mason's shack in the beginning of chapter 1?

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

7. Why does Rayber feel he can read Tarwater like a book?

8. Why does Mason try to kidnap Bishop?

9. Why does Rayber say Tarwater can not eat?

10. What does the stranger's voice tell Tarwater about burying Mason?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bishop has a mostly silent role. Consider how he impacts the plot, character development, and themes of this novel even though he has no dialogue.

Essay Topic 2

The three sections of "The Violent Bear It Away" feature Tarwater in three different settings and under the "care" of different family members, including himself. Compare and contrast the ways that each section helps develop Tarwater and reflects Tarwater as a character.

Essay Topic 3

Rayber gives Tarwater several items in "The Violent Bear It Away". Tarwater responds indifferently or even angrily to most of the items and he really only uses the corkscrew/bottle opener. Analyze the symbolism of the items and Tarwater's responses to them. Look at how the items are treated and used and what this means to the development of Tarwater, Rayber, and the plot.

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This section contains 577 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample