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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 about Tarwater makes fury rise in Rayber?

2. How did Mason describe Tarwater's sister?

3. Who said that their parents did not teach them anything, except "not to wet the bed"?

4. What does Mason tell Tarwater about his place?

5. What does Rayber compare Lucette to?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What memory of Powderhead makes Rayber's heart expand unbelievably?

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

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

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

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

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 happens when Tarwater drinks water from the pump near the Negro shack?

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

10. What does Tarwater tell the truck driver who asks him why his pants are wet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tarwater's rejection or acceptance of his role as a prophet is central to "The Violent Bear It Away". How are prophets described and defined in the text and how does this influence Tarwater? Also, consider what prophesying requires according to the novel and how that impacts the other characters.

Essay Topic 2

Tarwater receives rides from three strangers in this novel: Meeks, the truck driver, and the man in the lavender car. Describe each trip in terms of influence on Tarwater, symbolism, reflection of religion, and impact on the rest of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

The three sections of "The Violent Bear It Away" feature Tarwater in three different settings and under the "care" of different family members, including himself. Compare and contrast the ways that each section helps develop Tarwater and reflects Tarwater as a character.

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This section contains 678 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample