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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 NOT a sound perceived by Andrews during his brief periods of wakefulness during his first night in Butcher's Crossing?

2. The hunting party leaves Butcher's Crossing on the 25th day of what month?

3. Who funds the hunting expedition?

4. McDonald asks Andrews for a favor before he leaves McDonald's presence. What is it?

5. Who serves as the leader of the hunting expedition?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is irony present within Miller's discussion of how every part of a buffalo can be used for some human purpose?

2. For what purpose does Andrews immediately seek McDonald when he reaches Butcher's Crossing?

3. What is the main hardship Andrews faces in the first days of the hunting expedition?

4. What query is made within the letter from Andrews's father to McDonald and how does McDonald respond?

5. What is the first real danger faced by the buffalo hunting party at the center of the story?

6. What do Miller's comments about the dwindling number of buffalo show about his character?

7. What does Miller think is Schneider's real reason for wanting to deviate from the party's planned path to water?

8. How do Andrews's physical changes over the first few weeks of the expedition indicate psychological changes as well?

9. What reservations does Schneider share about the prospect of the buffalo hunting expedition?

10. How does the theme of racism arise within the character of Miller?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze John Williams's novel Butcher's Crossing from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 2

Explicate the theme of violence within John Williams's novel Butcher's Crossing. What is the author's message regarding violence and how do you know?

Essay Topic 3

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within John Williams's novel Butcher's Crossing. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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