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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 old is Wing at the end of this story?

2. How do the neighbors feel about the swampland Jesse buys?

3. What war is the carpenter part of?

4. What does the writer name his book?

5. Who tells David a joke every morning?

Short Essay Questions

1. As revealed in the story "Death", why does Elizabeth marry Tom?

2. In the fourth part of "Godliness", what does Jesse purchase and why?

3. In the story "Drink", how does Tom feel about women?

4. When Ned first plans to move to Cleveland, what does Alice tell him?

5. What does Wash's wife's mother do to her when Wash comes to visit?

6. How does the author compare Dr. Reefy to the twisted apples of Winesburg?

7. Why is Joe planting grass seed?

8. What makes Wash say that "all women are dead, even when they are alive"?

9. Why does the woman in the doctor's office have blood on her in "Paper Pills"?

10. Why is George careful when he counts his money on the train?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Select four women in Winesburg and describe them in terms of their relationships to other characters, their connection to the theme of communication and what they represent to the town and/or George Willard. How does Anderson use female characters in this novel?

Essay Topic 2

A variety of occupations are represented in this novel. Choose four occupations and describe the characters that hold these jobs. What is symbolic about these careers and what do they represent in "Winesburg, Ohio"?

Essay Topic 3

Thinking about the episodes of violence in "Winesburg, Ohio", describe what the violence represents to the novel/characters. Analyze the symbolism of any weapons involved. How does Anderson use violence? What message is conveyed? How does violence develop the stories/characters?

(see the answer keys)

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