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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Rayber offer Tarwater his glass of water at the hotel restaurant?

2. What does the city park remind Rayber of?

3. After leaving the gas station, what does Tarwater hunger for in addition to food and drink?

4. What was the "enormous" Rayber saved Bishop from?

5. What did Bernice want to happen to Bishop?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Analyze the motif of death in "The Violent Bear It Away". What does each death represent and reflect? How are characters described through death? How does death drive this novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 232 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample