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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. Who is Peyton's husband?

2. Against whom are the Southerners in the story prejudiced?

3. What does Carey try to talk to Milton about in the roadhouse?

4. What is Carey Carr's profession?

5. How does Peyton injure Helen before leaving on her honeymoon?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Milton remember about the Christmas of 1941?

2. What does Carey Carr recall about his first meeting with Helen?

3. What is the perception of the Southern wedding guests toward Harry?

4. What does Dick do while Helen and Maudie are out of town and he has the house to himself?

5. Why is Helen so angry with Peyton and Milton on Peyton's wedding day?

6. What is the nature of the letter Milton writes to Peyton while Helen and Maudie are out of town?

7. Does Helen seek out Carey for her belief in God or something else?

8. How does Peyton and Harry's first night as a married couple mirror Milton and Helen's marriage?

9. What do Carey and Milton talk about while waiting in the roadhouse for the hearse to be repaired?

10. What is ironic about La Ruth's outburst on the day of Peyton's funeral?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Styron use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Hate takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 3

Even though they are both important in Milton's life, Helen and Dolly are very different. Compare and contrast Helen and Dolly. What similarities do they share? How are they different?

(see the answer keys)

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