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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 Willie want for his son, Tom?

2. Who are Willie and his entourage visiting at a farm?

3. Why does the Attorney General, Hugh Miller resign his position?

4. What do Willie and Jack do with Willie's father?

5. Gilbert sends Lavinia to an expensive school in Atlanta and _____________________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What crisis is occurring in the governor's office when Jack returns to town?

2. What leads Jack to believe that the judge had more secret financial dealings?

3. What does the new hospital symbolize for Willie?

4. What is the author's purpose for beginning the novel in the way he does?

5. What startling fact is revealed to Jack when he goes home to see if Judge Irwin will use his influence with MacMurfree?

6. Under what circumstances did Jack's parents meet?

7. Compare and contrast the funerals for Willie and Adam.

8. What does Jack discover when he digs into the school construction story?

9. Who was Jack find was the unexpected instigator in the deaths of Adam and Willie?

10. When is Jack able to leave California and return home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Which of Willy's transgressions is his worst? Marital infidelity? Blackmail? Lack of ethics? Which of his transgressions serves him well? Which one will ultimately result in his death?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 2, Willie is branded as a nigger lover. Explain what this term means. Why was it "acceptable" to use in 1922 and not tolerated at all today? Has society matured? Are people more sensitive? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Some psychologists might say that Tom Stark's indiscriminate behavior is a child calling for help. Do you agree or disagree with this premise? What do you think Tom truly wants from his parents? Do you think Willie is so permissive with Tom because Willy had to work so hard on the farm when he was a boy? Explain.

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