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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 people other than Jacob are on Jacob's law team in the Gideon case?

2. George Mantz of ____________ admits that his state's courts could soon follow the trend to appoint attorneys in all cases.

3. How many other states sign Berlin's legal brief?

4. Who is the Attorney General in 1963?

5. How might Gideon have known about the Carnley vs. Cochran case?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the next step after the Supreme Court rules in Gideon's favor?

2. What embarrassing statement does Jacob make in dialogue regarding Gideon representing someone else in court?

3. What is State Judge Walter V. Schaefer's reasoning on why the right to an attorney is greater than all other rights?

4. How do Fortas and Jacob differ in their perceptions of Supreme Court procedure?

5. Why is Gideon's Supreme Court case called Gideon vs. Wainwright?

6. What is the premise of the Betts vs. Brady case in 1942?

7. What major points stem from revising the method of assigning attorneys who are not compensated?

8. Who is Bruce Robert Jacob and what is his role in Gideon's Supreme Court trial?

9. What does Fortas believe would be the surest way to get assenting opinions from the Justices in Gideon's case?

10. How could Gideon vs. Wainwright overthrow the Betts vs. Brady decision that was enacted just 20 years prior?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gideon changed the course of American law by petitioning for justice in the area of rights to an attorney. Who might be the next Gideon? Name two causes that are important in the United States today and how their passage would significantly alter the laws in America. What do you think the chances are of the causes passing and affecting change? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Define the Betts vs. Brady ruling. Why was it essentially unchallenged for 20 years? What happened to American critical thought in the years 1942-1962 that made it possible for Gideon's petition to be heard at the Supreme Court level? What was happening in the culture of America that almost demanded that Gideon's petition be heard? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of hope. Identify at least two themes about hope in the book. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

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