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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. Why does Rayber think Tarwater is headed into town the night he leaves the house?

2. What about Tarwater makes fury rise in Rayber?

3. What does Tarwater confuse the city lights with?

4. Why would Mason leave for days at a time into the woods?

5. What does the banner say on the building Rayber thinks Tarwater went into late at night?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Rayber say Mason did to Tarwater?

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

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

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

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

9. Why does Rayber say that Tarwater is his son also when they check in to the hotel?

10. At the end of the novel, what does Tarwater discover about Mason's body?

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

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

Compare and contrast Tarwater's life with Mason to his life with Rayber. Consider the values, actions, locations and emotions involved. Also analyze the impact on Tarwater.

(see the answer keys)

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