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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 the story "Parker's Back," why does Parker not want to have his back tattooed?

2. In the story "The Comforts of Home," how does Star gain entrance into Thomas' home the second time?

3. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," why does Sheppard think Rufus refused the shoe he had made for him?

4. In the story "A View of the Woods," what does Fortune attempt to buy for Mary Fortune to appease her?

5. In the story "Revelation," how does Mrs. Turpin characterize the farm workers' compliments?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Asbury's appearance In the story "The Enduring Chill."

2. Describe social class from Mrs. Turpin's perspective as presented in the story "Revelation."

3. Describe the "communion" that Asbury, Randall and Morgan take in the story "The Enduring Chill."

4. Why is Julian left feeling "guilt and sorrow" at the end of the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge"?

5. At the end of the story "The Comforts of Home," what does the sheriff surmise actually happened to Thomas' mother?

6. In the story "The Comforts of Home," what motivates Thomas' mother to help Star?

7. In the story "Greenleaf," why does Mrs. May decide to have Mr. Greenleaf shoot the bull?

8. Describe the black woman who sits next to Julian on the bus in the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge."

9. Describe what happens to Julian's mother when she offers a penny to the black child in the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge."

10. In the story "A View of the Woods," how does Mary Fortune react when her father beats her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the themes in the collection of short stories "Everything That Rises Must Converge" is that of science vs. religion. Select three of the stories dealing with this theme and:

1) explain what the story says about science and religion;

2) demonstrate how the theme is developed in the story.

Then explain what you think Flannery O'Connor's overall commentary on science vs. religion is in the novel as a whole.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Select the story in the collection that you most identify with. Write an essay explaining:

1) why you selected this story;

2) what is significant to you about the story;

3) how the story reflects your personal beliefs.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

One of the themes in the collection of short stories "Everything That Rises Must Converge" is that of past vs. present. Select three of the stories dealing with this theme and:

1) explain what the story says about the past and the present;

2) demonstrate how the theme is developed in the story.

Then explain what you think Flannery O'Connor's overall commentary on past vs. present is in the novel as a whole.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,057 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample