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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 does everyone have at Summerland?

2. How does Chris' heart beat?

3. Who keeps track of some family members?

4. Who do Leona and Chris met?

5. Why does Chris refuse to leave the clairvoyant alone?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Chris lie down at his home and does this make sense to you?

2. What do you think about what Albert tells Chris about thoughts?

3. Who greets Chris and what do you think of the situation?

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

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

6. Describe Chris' experience in the hospital when his soul first leaves his body.

7. Who is the man who helped Chris finally make it to Summerland and what does Chris realize about life in Summerland?

8. Give a one-sentence synopsis of WHAT DREAMS MAY COME.

9. Why do you think Chris keeps staying around the Earth plane when it is so frustrating and sad to see Ann's grief?

10. Describe Chris' first moments after he awakens 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

In Albert's home, Chris notices the screenplays he wrote while in the physical on Earth. Chris regrets that his screenplays were not of a less violent or horrific nature. Discuss the following:

1. If Chris had wanted to write different screen plays while on Earth, then he probably would have. What do you think kept him from doing so?

2. If life is meant to be experienced fully, what is wrong with Chris' screenplays exploring themes of life as it is on Earth in reality?

3. If one strives to create heaven on earth, then why have two separate planes of existence?

Essay Topic 3

Chris is introduced to the Hall of Literature, a perfect library where they can talk without disturbing anyone. Works of literature and art are present in their most perfect form. As Leona explains it, the original Chris sees is the true form, the concept in the mind of the artist, pure and eternal. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think Leona means when she says the original Chris sees is the true form, the concept in the mind of the artist, pure and eternal?

2. If art on Earth is a mere imitation of the same art in Summerland (or Heaven), why should one even try to produce art on Earth? Discuss with examples.

3. Chris desires to write new, uplifting screen plays. Will his work while he is in Summerland be in its most perfect form? What would be the challenge in writing it if that is so?

(see the answer keys)

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