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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 Mason want at the head of his grave?

2. What is part of a "simple equation that required no further solution"?

3. What feature was Tarwater unable to recall about the schoolteacher's face?

4. Who says they won't get used to Tarwater?

5. As Meeks drives with Tarwater, what does he consider doing with Tarwater?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Rayber's plan for Tarwater on the fishing trip?

2. What things does Mason teach Tarwater?

3. What does Bishop look like the first time Tarwater sees him?

4. Why does Tarwater drink the moonshine he was getting for Buford?

5. How does Mason feel Rayber insulted him?

6. Why does Rayber see himself fleeing with Lucette?

7. Why does Rayber suddenly duck his head and hide when he is watching Lucette?

8. How does Rayber describe the windows of the building Lucette preaches in?

9. Why does Rayber advise Tarwater to avoid extremes?

10. Why does Mason try to kidnap Bishop?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The characters in "The Violent Bear It Away" were often called different names. Rayber was also "the schoolteacher", and Mason was often called "the old man", for examples. Analyze what the different names imply and which characters used varying names to refer to other characters. Were there power struggles evident, or judgments passed? What is the importance of a name?

Essay Topic 3

Violence and religion converge at many points during this novel. Describe three such times and what is symbolic about the event, how it impacts the characters involved and shapes the rest of the novel. Take time to consider why violence and religion often meet.

(see the answer keys)

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