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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. Why did Johannes not want people in camp to tell David things of the outside world?

2. What does David help the man find, that he has lost at the side of the road?

3. What did Johannes teach David about saying thank you?

4. What does David buy with his money?

5. What city is David trying to reach, to get on a boat?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does David decide, as he runs during his escape, to stop running and instead to walk?

2. Describe how David saves Maria from the fire.

3. What happens to David's clothes, and what is the result of this? How does he feel?

4. Describe how David is able to keep going long after he has stopped caring.

5. Explain how David comes to the home of Giovanni.

6. Describe David's first prayer.

7. Explain David's reaction to the baby.

8. Explain what the man tells David to do to escape.

9. Describe the scene with the man who loses his glasses. What does David do, what is the couple's response, and why is it disturbing for David?

10. Explain why David is beat up, and why he refuses to fight back.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many references in the novel to the power of "them", without actual description of who "they" really are. Choose three instances where the author gives information about "them", and explain the reference in detail. What is said about "them"? What does the reference indicate about who "they" might be? How does the author use these vague descriptions to impose a feeling of unfocused dread?

Essay Topic 2

In the novel, David comes to realize he can never be a normal boy. Analyze this statement in detail. What aspects of life cause David to state this? Is he correct? Why or why not? Do you think he can ever be a normal child? Why? What in his background could prevent him from achieving any sense of normalcy? Do you think finding his mother will help? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel there is reference to David's eyes. This is later linked in the novel to the eyes of Edith, his mother. Explain what people see when they look into David's eyes, in terms of why they find his eyes do unique. What in David's life has led him to show the expression in his eyes that he shows? Why does his mother have the same eyes? How does the author use this to link not only their genetics, but their experiences?

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