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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. How does Chris try to get Ann to see her new life?

2. What is one realization Chris has in Summerland?

3. Of what does Albert warn Chris?

4. How is the realm organized that Chris and Albert enter?

5. How does Chris define heaven?

Short Essay Questions

1. What crosses in front of Chris on the driveway of Ann's home in Hell and what might be the symbolism of the scene?

2. How does Chris persist in trying to make Ann see her situation and what is the result?

3. What happens as Chris and Albert continue walking deeper into the Lower Realms?

4. Who does Chris see in Summerland and what is the outcome? Do you think it seems likely?

5. What is the result of Chris having a grateful attitude?

6. What does Albert say about Hell?

7. Can there be any type of communication between souls in Summerland and those on Earth?

8. Do you think what Chris is describing is what you would imagine Hell to be like?

9. What do you think it means when Chris says he is realizing there is so much more than what the limited human mind can conceive?

10. How does Chris have a third vision of Ann and what is the significance of the vision?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 5, Ann agrees to a séance with Perry. It starts out find, but then ends badly. Discuss one of the following:

1. Describe and then analyze the entire séance scene.

2. Discuss the paranormal, particularly mediumship and give your response to the subject.

3. How do you think things would have changed for Ann if she had seen Chris and believed he still existed somewhere? Discuss thoroughly with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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