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

Short Answer Questions

1. What city does Idabel wish for her and Joel to go to?

2. What does Jesus Fever experience after falling ill in Chapter 9?

3. Whose portrait does Randolph wish to paint?

4. How does Randolph describe the dreams his girlfriend had that he saw in a dream book?

5. What is Joel squeamish about in Chapter 7 when he is with Idabel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the author's portrayal of the father figure in the book. What impact might Ed Samson's being an invalid have on Joel's desperate search for a male figure in his life?

Essay Topic 2

The subject of homosexuality is present throughout much of the book and offers an important insight into the nature of the book's characters.

Part 1.) What can the reader learn about the nature of the local's acceptance of homosexuality based on Idabel's need to escape the town and be her true self?

Part 2.) In what way might the author's portrayal of Joel represent the journey of first discovering homosexuality?

Part 3.) How might Randolph be seen as the most open and understanding of homosexuality in the book?

Essay Topic 3

The notion of superstition is one that is frequently brought up in the book and plays a role in Joel's life at the Landing.

Part 1.) What can the reader learn about the importance of superstition in the local culture based on characters like Little Sunshine?

Part 2.) What symbolism can be found in the representation of superstitious practices and charms in the book?

Part 3.) How is the presence of superstition significant to Joel's journey from normalcy to bizarre in the book?

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