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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 will be inside the envelope Bill will receive from Helen?

2. What does Colonel Freeleigh enjoy listening to?

3. Who does Bill remind Helen of?

4. What does Douglas decide must be the ending to his journal entry that some day he must do?

5. How does the special brew make Elmira feel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the different views on Helen's death and how it relates to happy endings by Douglas and Tom?

2. How does Lavina feel on her lonely walk home after finding the dead body and going to the movies with her friend?

3. What does Douglas think about Colonel Freeleigh's death that he feels comfortable sharing with Tom?

4. What does Douglas believe would have happened between Bill and Helen if they had been born at different times?

5. What happens when Elmira starts to make her speech after she drinks the special brew she made to thwart any spells Clara might cast?

6. Why does Colonel Freeleigh call Mexico City twice before he dies?

7. How do Clara and Elmira reconcile their differences and eventually become friendly?

8. How did Bill end up falling in love with Helen even though there was a significant difference in their ages?

9. How does Lavinia come to be the one responsible for the death of the Lonely One?

10. What is unique about Mr. Jonas' business with the junkyard wagon and horse?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What powerful recognition does Douglas come to at the end of the novel? How is this recognition important? What does it represent in his life?

Essay Topic 2

Some might say that by acknowledging that some day he will die leads to Douglas almost facing death by becoming very ill. Explain why this statement might be accurate and why it might be inaccurate. Use specific examples from the novel to support your explanations.

Essay Topic 3

Describe how Mr. Jonas and Douglas can be considered kindred souls. Use examples from the text to support your answer. Do you believe this meshing of minds and souls is what led to Douglas' healing? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 705 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample