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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 does Mason describe the end of the world?

2. Whose voice is the stranger's?

3. What does Meeks think of Tarwater after driving for only a short while?

4. What does Mason Tarwater do for a living?

5. Who spent time in an insane asylum?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Tarwater turn down Meeks' offer to drop him off at Rayber's?

2. Why is Tarwater concerned for his own soul while burying Mason?

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

4. Why does the stranger's voice taunt Tarwater about Mason's profession?

5. Why does the stranger's voice tell Tarwater that hunger does not count as a sign?

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

7. Why does Rayber decide to go to Powderhead with Bishop?

8. Why does Rayber say Tarwater can not eat?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the religious imagery in this novel. What are the images, what do they symbolize and how do they relate to the characters and plot?

Essay Topic 2

The adults in this book, Mason and Rayber, try to save the children, Tarwater and Bishop. Compare what saving means to the adults, how they try to save and what ultimately happens. What does all of this reveal about Rayber and Mason?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 572 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample