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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 do to the shack the night Mason dies?

2. What does Lucette say is coming?

3. How did Mason describe Tarwater's sister?

4. What does Mason tell Tarwater about his place?

5. Why does Tarwater drop the knocker at the schoolteacher's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. In chapter 9 when Rayber watches Tarwater interact with Bishop in the bedroom why does Rayber admit to being jealous?

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

3. Why does Tarwater start walking toward Powderhead?

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

5. Why does Tarwater balk at Mason's directions for burying him?

6. When Meeks asks what line of work Tarwater will get into, what does he say?

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

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

9. What does Tarwater do when Bishop sits on the stairs in front of him at the hotel?

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the relationship between Mason and Tarwater. Consider Mason's influence on Tarwater, Tarwater's acceptance/resistance toward Mason, and how this relationship drives Tarwater's actions/the plot of the novel.

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