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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 being prepared at the tavern?

2. What kills the man's horse?

3. What does Glanton use to make the men chose who shoots the injured men?

4. What does Elrod call the man?

5. Which of the following characters goes to the Indian camp with Glanton?

Short Essay Questions

1. On what do the Judge and the gang leaders agree?

2. How does the gang get to the town of Jesus Maria?

3. How does the gang celebrate its victory?

4. How do Glanton and his gang use the ferry?

5. Describe the confrontation between the Kid and the Judge in Chapter 22.

6. In what way does Chapter 20 show a theme of evil?

7. Describe the argument between the proprietor and Jackson in the diner.

8. What does the Judge say to Tobin and the Kid?

9. How does Glanton decide who kills the injured men.

10. Describe how Elrod gets killed.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick a character from the novel and discuss his goals and motives. Does he achieve his motives? Why? Does he share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do his goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the representation of Indians in the novel.

1) What Indian tribes are represented in the book. What are the histories of these tribes and in what way were they involved with the Mexican War.

2) Compare a historical account of an Indian tribe in the book with McCarthy's representations. Does he have a certain aim in mind for presenting the Indians as he or does he just want to represent it how it really was?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the novel's chronological setting.

1) What were the main concerns during the 1850s. How does McCarthy express these concerns?

2) In what ways do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's society?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 798 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample