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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 is the judge angry at Captain Ivers?

2. What does Willy do when she feels guilty for spending her money foolishly?

3. Why does Willy think she should search Canvas Town?

4. What does Aunt Betsy realize that Uncle Jack does not?

5. What does Willy realize about Horace as they are talking?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens that makes Horace uncomfortable when he takes Willy to the kitchen of the Queen's Head for a meal?

2. What does Willy learn from the woman when Willy returns to Canvas Town with some money?

3. How does Mr. Fraunces respond to what Willy tells him?

4. Why does Willy want to go to Canvas Town and how does she trick Horace in going with her?

5. What is Willy trying to decide in the search for her mother?

6. Why does Willy decide to stay dressed in britches?

7. Why does Mr. Fraunces send Willy to the dock in April?

8. What happens that makes Willy hang up a horse blanket in her part of the loft where she sleeps?

9. Describe the scene in the courthouse when Willy goes up before the judge.

10. How long has Willy's father been dead, and how is Willy feeling about her life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many authors if queried would admit that they have an agenda for writing a particular novel. Discuss the following:

1. Define and give examples of the concept of "author agenda."

2. Do you think Collier has an agenda in mind when he writes War Comes to Willy Freeman?

3. What do you think would be Collier's agenda(s) (if he has one)? Give examples to illustrate how the agenda is fulfilled.

4. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

5. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of War Comes to Willy Freeman, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in War Comes to Willy Freeman. The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot. Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not? Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of power in War Comes to Willy Freeman. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with power and/or have the most power? Why? What are some symbols of power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of fear in War Comes to Willy Freeman. Who is afraid? Why? Who provokes fear in others? How? Why? Is Willy a fearful person? Why or why not? Do you think she does things in spite of being afraid or because of being afraid? Or, sometimes one or the other? Give examples.

3. Trace and analyze the theme of change. Who changes in War Comes to Willy Freeman? Who seems to stay stagnant? What are the reasons the characters change who do so? Why do some characters not change? Do you think Willy's changes at the end of the book will last? Why or why not? What would it take to make Captain Ivers change? Do you think there is hope for Captain Ivers? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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