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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 many buffalo does Miller say the pile of bones represents?

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

3. McDonald warns Andrews not to talk to hunters in town for what reason?

4. Miller tells Schneider that his protests about finding water make Miller think that Schneider just wants what?

5. What is the name of the establishment where Andrews finds Miller for the first time?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is foreshadowing employed within the scene focusing on Charley's lost hand?

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

3. Discuss how Andrews and McDonald qualify as character foils.

4. What distinction does Miller make between Boston prostitutes and Butcher's Crossing prostitutes?

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

6. What signs does the hunting party see that point to the presence of buffalo before they actually see any?

7. What is the author's reason for including McDonald's comment to Andrews that "Young folks…don't know what to do with themselves" (22)?

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

9. What is the symbolism of the Smoky Hill trail?

10. What does the reader learn about the protagonist before even knowing his name?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's use of literary devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification and the devices' ability to make the story of Butcher's Crossing come alive for the reader.

Essay Topic 2

Determine the author's message in Butcher's Crossing regarding the dangerous and volatile qualities of the natural world.

Essay Topic 3

What is the author's message regarding the history of America in John Williams's novel Butcher's Crossing and what themes does the author employ in order to send these messages to the reader?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,150 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample