View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. As Byron escorts Lena through the crowd in town talking about the fire, what does he not want Lena to hear?

2. Who does Joe Brown accuse of murdering the answer to #42?

3. What does the dietician offer Christmas as a bribe?

4. What does Christmas do when he earns some more money?

5. What does Christmas do after he awakens?

Short Essay Questions

1. Joe leaves the whorehouse and enters "the street which was to run for fifteen years." What is the significance of this statement?

2. Who does the dietician turn to in her plans to ruin Christmas?

3. How does Lena rationalize the fact that Lucas has not yet sent for her?

4. Why is McEachern's death symbolic in this chapter?

5. How does the dietician attempt to thwart disaster in the toothpaste incident?

6. Why does Christmas toss away the food Mrs. McEachern brings him after Mr. McEachern has beaten him?

7. What does the dietician's pink toothpaste symbolize for Christmas?

8. What is the irony of McEachern beating Christmas for not memorizing his catechism lesson?

9. The author uses the literary technique of a flashback at this point in the book. What purpose does this serve?

10. Why is Bobbie attracted to Christmas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Byron and Hightower. The men are friends but their core beliefs are at odds at points during the book. Also, Byron does not feel he is as good as Hightower yet he shows more compassion toward people. What other similarities and dissimilarities are there between the two characters?

Essay Topic 2

A major theme in the book is the status and treatment of women in society. Why are women who step outside the boundaries of so-called proper behavior chastised and alienated by the men but accepted by the women? Why are the prominent men in the town especially anxious to get rid of Lena? Why do they not show any compassion for the young woman?

Essay Topic 3

Faulkner is a master at literary devices. Choose three examples of symbolism, metaphors, etc., and briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 799 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample