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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. Who alerts Perry to Chris' presence?
2. Why is it hard for Ann to believe that Chris is still alive in some form?
3. What is the atmosphere like in Summerland?
4. Why does Chris refuse to leave the clairvoyant alone?
5. What confounds Chris about the city he visits?
Short Essay Questions
1. Who greets Chris and what do you think of the situation?
2. When Chris follows the sounds of Ann's sobbing, where does he end up?
3. Give a one-sentence synopsis of WHAT DREAMS MAY COME.
4. Who does Chris encounter in the hospital halls and what do you think the fog represents?
5. What sort of judgment day is there for Chris and who is the "judge"?
6. What does Leona tell Chris of Albert's work and how does Chris react?
7. Describe Chris' experience in the hospital when his soul first leaves his body.
8. What is the paradox about Ann and her wish to see Chris at Perry's seance?
9. What does Chris do to find Ann and help her?
10. What does Leon show Chris while they are waiting to be summoned back to the Office of Records?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
There is still a great deal of human frailty and foibles in Summerland. Summerland is a place where souls that dwell there must grow, face their problems and solve them, and must not see their reflections in mirrors for fear of losing heart at their imperfections. Discuss the following:
1. If the only way a soul can see its imperfections is in a mirror, which is why there are no mirrors, then how does a soul know what its imperfections are?
2. How can a mirror reflect spiritual imperfections? Do you think the implication is that the body one creates to "wear" in Summerland reflects one's spiritual imperfections?
3. How would you feel if when you looked into a mirror you not only saw your physical body (and its imperfections as you perceive them), but also saw your emotional/spiritual imperfections? Would you look in a mirror less or more than you do now?
Essay Topic 2
In the Introduction, a clairvoyant has gone to the home of the protagonist's brother, Robert, to deliver a manuscript she claims Robert's deceased brother, Chris, dictated to her from the spirit realm. Discuss the following:
Why do you think Matheson chooses to frame his novel with the story about the clairvoyant and the manuscript?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of framing the story this way?
Do you think the frame device is the most effective way to tell Chris's story? Why or why not?
What is another way Matheson could have structured the story? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of that way?
Essay Topic 3
In Chapter 1, Chris separates from his body and his life flashes before his eyes in reverse from 1974 to 1927 in a blur of images. Then, later in Chapter 4, Chris has a comprehensive review of his life and actions, this time slowly and with great clarity. Discuss the following:
What do you think is the purpose of Chris' life flashing past his mind in Chapter 1?
What do you think is the purpose of the comprehensive review in Chapter 4?
Who judges Chris' life? Do you think this is a good way to conduct and after-death judgment?
What judgment is rendered about Chris' life?
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This section contains 1,320 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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