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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 Rudolph's mother do to try to help her son after his interaction with his father in the kitchen?

2. How does Rudolph feel as the time for communion nears at church in Chapter 4?

3. Since he thinks his first occupation may be unrealistic, what else does Rudolph tell Father Schwartz he might be when he grows up?

4. What does Rudolph's father chastise him for after telling him to pour his water into the sink on Sunday morning in Chapter 3?

5. What does Rudolph's father pray for at church on Sunday morning in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rudolph's mother behave after his altercation with his father in Chapter 3? How does Rudolph feel about his mother at this time?

2. What does Father Schwartz tell Rudolph he should do after asking him what he wants to be when he grows up?

3. Why does Rudolph feel safe in the room with Father Schwartz at the start of Chapter 5?

4. At the end of the story, why does Rudolph feel that God will not punish him for his lies?

5. What does Carl pray for in the church pew as he kneels beside his son?

6. What is Carl Miller's Sunday morning routine as seen at the start of Chapter 3?

7. What does Carl find Rudolph doing in the kitchen on Sunday morning in Chapter 3?

8. What does Rudolph tell Father Schwartz in the confessional in Chapter 4 after his altercation with his father?

9. Why does Carl go to the kitchen when he was getting ready for work on Sunday morning?

10. What are the only two options Rudolph thinks he has after his father finds him in the kitchen in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Rudolph's eyes as symbolic in "Absolution."

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the author of "Absolution." Who is he? What else has he written? How is "Absolution" similar or different from his other works?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of isolation and discuss how each of the main characters feel isolated.

(see the answer keys)

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