View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the prosecutor tell the sheriff that he cannot hold Jack in jail?

2. Why does Nora go to visit her father for awhile?

3. Why does the sheriff call Pat?

4. Where do Pat and Jessie decide to take the boys to avoid seeing Jack?

5. What is the nickname of Jessie and Jack's son?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are Jessie and Jack's children?

2. What happens to finally make the townspeople leave Jessie alone?

3. How does Jessie find out that Jack has returned to town?

4. How does Charlie try to commit suicide?

5. What happens when Charlie's suicide attempt fails?

6. How does Jessie interact with the people in town?

7. What is Jessie like, and what do the townspeople think of her?

8. What happens to Pat's marriage to Nora after the death of their daughter?

9. What purchases does Jack make prior to leaving town for good?

10. What is the only thing Jessie can think to do in order to repay the townspeople for Jack's crime?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The frustration of unfulfilled affection touches several characters in the story. Name at least two characters who experience unfulfilled love and the situations that occur as a result.

Essay Topic 2

Haruf is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony, briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of women in the mid- to late-20th century when the women in the novel are living their lives. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms do they have that women in prior times did not have?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 824 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample