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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 does Lonnie take over to Halmea's house?

2. What does Lonnie hear as he is trying to flag down someone?

3. Where does Lonnie go the day after Granddad's funeral?

4. What is Granddad's state?

5. What does Granny demand from Granddad?

Short Essay Questions

1. For whom does Lonnie go looking and why?

2. Who does Hud send for help and what happens as Lonnie is by the roadside?

3. What does Hermy tell Lonnie?

4. What does Jesse advise Lonnie and why does he do so?

5. How is Hud when he arrives home and why is he angry?

6. What does Lonnie do in response to what Hud tells him?

7. What happens to Jesse and Lonzo, and how does Jesse react?

8. How does Hud act the day after Granddad's death?

9. What does Lonnie do with his rifle and why, and how does Hud react?

10. Where does Granddad send Lonnie and Jesse, and what do they discuss?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often titles reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be?

2. The phrase Horseman, Pass By is derived from a poem, "Under Ben Bulben," by William Butler Yeats. Research this reference and discuss the connection it may have to McMurtry's book.

3. If you were the writer of Horseman, Pass By and your editor says the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Alcohol plays an active role in determining the behavior of several of the characters at one point or another in the book. Discuss the following:

1. What is alcoholism?

2. Do you think Hud is an alcoholic? What about Jesse?

3. Is there a time that Lonnie uses alcohol unwisely? Could this be a red flag for Lonnie as to the possibility that he could become an alcoholic? Why or why not?

4. Do you think Hud would have done the things he did while drunk when he was sober? Why or why not?

5. How does Granddad treat alcohol? Do he have a problem with drinking too much?

6. Would you label alcohol as a protagonist or antagonist? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

A clear and prominent theme of Horseman, Pass By is that of death. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly trace and analyze the theme of death in Horseman, Pass By. What are some symbols to represent death? Are there different types of death?

2. Discuss the attitude of the following characters towards death: Halmea, Granddad, Hud, Lonnie and Granny.

3. Discuss all the symbols and metaphors surrounding the theme of death.

(see the answer keys)

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