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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 is causing Lexie the most pain?

2. Where does Willy Jack and a woman drive to in Chapter 32?

3. What does Willy Jack tell Johnny DeSoto that he really needs?

4. Roger Briscoe, Lexie's boyfriend, did what to Brummett?

5. Who watches Americus when Novalee works at night?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does seeing the lights on in the hotel room enlighten Novalee?

2. What is the two-fold meaning of the word "disconnected"?

3. What stages does Novalee see in Benny?

4. How is the buckeye tree given to Novalee by Benny symbolic for both characters?

5. Why does Brummett call Novalee at the start of Chapter 29?

6. What is a way that Lexie has acknowledged her children have change?

7. In Chapter 33, how are both good and bad luck shown?

8. Novalee's dream in Chapter 1 is a similar foreshadowing to what event in Chapter 32?

9. What does "Look at all you've done, Novalee, look at all you've done for yourself" mean?

10. How have Novalee and Forney helped each other to heal in Chapter 33?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the major themes of the story is that of heart. How does this theme of heart play out in the lives of Novalee, Willy Jack, Sister Husband, Lexie, Forney, and Benny? Is this theme of heart in relationship to any other theme of the story? What theme? How?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the importance of names, as emphasized by Moses Whitecotton. Further, explain the parallel between names in this book and those of the Christmas nativity.

Essay Topic 3

Home is a major theme of the story. Describe how this theme is important to Forney, Lexie, Sister Husband, Moses, and Benny.

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This section contains 550 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample