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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 has no meaning for Chris?

2. Who alerts Perry to Chris' presence?

3. How can Albert help Chris?

4. How does Richard feel about what Perry says about Chris?

5. What does the nurse do when she comes in the room?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Perry do that keeps Chris from actually communicating any further and why do you think Perry does this?

2. What sort of judgment day is there for Chris and who is the "judge"?

3. What does the man who seems to have substance tell Chris?

4. What does Leona tell Chris of Albert's work and how does Chris react?

5. How does Perry explain about why Chris lingers on the Earth plane for so long and the negative emotions Chris experiences?

6. What does Chris realize about his and Albert's conversation and what is the implication of this?

7. What can Albert do and how would you feel about that?

8. How is Chris finally able to move away from the Earth plane?

9. What does Chris learn at the Office of Records and how does he react? Why do you think he reacts in such a way?

10. What is the main thing that bothers Chris about his death and subsequent life in Summerland?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Often someone who is dying will suddenly die when a loved one has left the room momentarily. Many believe that the grief of the loved one holds the person there and it is only when that loved one is out of the room that the person "slips away." Discuss the following:

1. Do you believe either negative or positive emotions of a loved one can hinder a person from dying? Explain fully.

2. Do you believe either negative or positive emotions of a dying person can hinder the person from letting go and dying? Explain fully.

3. How do you think is the most positive way a loved one can act when holding a bedside vigil of a dying person?

4. Do you think Ann acted in ways that made it easy for Chris to leave his body?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

Compare/contrast Chris to Albert.

Thoroughly analyze Ann's character and discuss why you think she ends up in the lower realms.

Discuss four of the minor characters and how they contribute to the story. Could they be left out without impacting the story overly much?

(see the answer keys)

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