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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. How did Mason describe the schoolteacher's house?

2. Who steals Tarwater from his crib?

3. What does Meeks say he graduated with?

4. Where does Bishop go to school?

5. What does Tarwater do with Buford's jug?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tarwater walk as he walks to the museum with Rayber and Bishop?

2. Why does Tarwater move toward Bishop when he jumps in the water fountain at the park?

3. How does Tarwater respond when the truck driver says he better not be sick?

4. How is it obvious that Tarwater is unfamiliar with telephones?

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

6. Why does the schoolteacher leave his hearing aid on at night?

7. What is Rayber reminded of when he holds Bishop to tie his shoe?

8. What is the sign of returning health that Rayber wants to see in Tarwater?

9. Why does Rayber advise Tarwater to avoid extremes?

10. When Tarwater looks at the burned remains of the cabin, what does he think?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both fire and water purify in "The Violent Bear It Away". Explain how each element represents purity in the novel and which characters seek purity or have it thrust on them.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

This novel is set in the American South. Describe the setting, culture, and ways of the American South and how it impacted the novel and characters.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 557 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample