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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. In Scene 3, what does Father Flynn tell the boys to do after getting dressed?

2. What does does Sister Aloysius say you're doing when you confront wrong doing?

3. In Scene 4, what does Sister Aloysius say that she wouldn't mind being?

4. Where does Sister James say Father Flynn took Donald Muller alone?

5. Where does Scene 4 take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Father Flynn compare the sailor's despair to a crisis of faith?

2. Why does Father Flynn tell the boys about his childhood acquaintance Timmy Mathisson?

3. In Scene 1, why does Father Flynn say a private calamity is worse than a public one?

4. Why does Father Flynn say it is dangerous to think at the foul line?

5. Why does Father Flynn say it is okay for him to wear his nails a little long?

6. Why is Sister Aloysius' work with the rosebush similar to her work at the school?

7. Why does Sister Aloysius say she cannot close her eyes to the situation with Father Flynn and Donald Muller?

8. Why does Sister Aloysius want to see Sister James become more self-confident?

9. In Scene 4, why does Sister Aloysius say that she cannot live her life in innocence?

10. What is Father Flynn's relationship with the boys on the basketball team like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the importance of gender roles in the play? How do they affect the interactions of the characters and the plot?

Essay Topic 2

Mrs. Muller has an interesting way of protecting her son. This is revealed in how she feels about Donald's relationship with Father Flynn and her concern for his education. Write an essay discussing what Mrs. Muller believes to be true about her son and how that affects what she thinks is best for him? Why does she appreciate Father Flynn's interest in her son rather than worry about it?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of instances of compassion in this play. Compassion is displayed by characters we don't expect compassion from, and for characters we aren't certain deserve compassion. Write an essay discussing the ways in which compassion is used in this play. Who shows compassion and towards whom? Is the compassion warranted? From whom do we see unexpected compassion?

(see the answer keys)

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