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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. Which of the following best characterizes the way Jean's mother sees the world?

2. What does Jean's mother tell Jean about her experience with Pierre?

3. What was in the package that came from Wigan?

4. What does Jean think she hears coming from the neighbor's house?

5. What important notion does Elsie impart to Jean?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens the first time Melanie goes to Jean's church?

2. How is Jean's deafness discovered?

3. Summarize the story of Jean's mother and Pierre.

4. Who invites Jean to go to the seaside? What happens and why does her mother not let her?

5. Describe the dream Jean has again and again about marriage.

6. When the Society has a special conference in Jean's town, what does Jean's mother make her do? Who does Jean meet there?

7. How did Jean's mother get started with the Society for the Lost?

8. What does the prince write about perfection?

9. Who is Elsie? Describe her.

10. Why don't Melanie and Jean think that what they share is what the pastor labels as "unnatural passion"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the central themes of this novel has to deal with the concept of homosexuality in religion.

Part 1. How is this theme developed in the novel?

Part 2. What are some common attitudes of religious groups today in regards to homosexuality?

Part 3.What, in your view, should the role of homosexuality in religion be?

Essay Topic 2

At one point Jean describes her mother as "Old Testament." What do we mean by that phrase?

Part 1. Describe the Biblical Old Testament.

Part 2. Describe the Biblical New Testament, comparing and contrasting it to the Old Testament.

Part 3. Give some examples and explanations about things that might be referred to as Old Testament.

Essay Topic 3

An entire chapter of the novel is dedicated to discussion of stories and history in general being subjective.

Part 1. What is meant by subjectivity in history?

Part 2. How subjective is history? Are there any true things to be found and proven?

Part 3. How do people best cope with the subjective nature of looking into the past?

(see the answer keys)

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