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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 "The Comforts of Home," what does Thomas see as the "principle of order and the only thing that makes life bearable"?

2. In the story "The Comforts of Home," what does Star wear when she enters Thomas' room late one night?

3. In the story "Judgment Day," once Tanner is in NYC what does he wish he had done?

4. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," how does Rufus initially respond to Sheppard's interest in him?

5. In the story "Greenleaf," what does Mrs. May tell Mr. Greenleaf he will be doing because he did not return the bull to his sons' farm?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," how does Norton react when Rufus tells him about hell? Why?

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

3. In the story "Revelation," why does Mrs. Turpin continue to repeat the phrase "there's a heap of things worse than a nigger"?

4. What does the narrator say is the "irony" of the way Julian has turned out in the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge"?

5. In the story "Revelation," what bothers Mrs. Turpin about the teenage girl?

6. In the story "The Enduring Chill," how does the author characterize the relationship between Mary George and Asbury?

7. In the story "The Enduring Chill," why does Father Finn say Asbury is ignorant?

8. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," why does Norton commit suicide?

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

10. What is the significance of Julian's mother's hat in the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the recurrent topics in the collection of short stories "Everything That Rises Must Converge" is family. Select three of the stories dealing with this topic and:

1) explain what the story says about family;

2) demonstrate how the concept of family is developed in the story.

Then explain what you think Flannery O'Connor's overall commentary on family is in the novel as a whole. Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

"Everything That Rises Must Converge" is both the title of this collection of short stories and one of the component stories. In your essay:

1) explain what this phrase means as it relates to the novel as a whole;

2) explain how the phrase fits the entire novel;

3) demonstrate how the author develops this idea.

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

Essay Topic 3

For each story in "Everything That Rises Must Converge" there is a "partner" story in the collection. Select two stories that you believe "fit" together and write an essay:

1) describing each story;

2) demonstrating how the two "fit" together;

3) explain what commentary the author is trying to make through these companion stories.

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

(see the answer keys)

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