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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. Where do the students typically lock Owen?

2. What does Rev. Merrill say is the essence of true faith?

3. Whose ancestor founded the town in which the novel takes place?

4. Whose religious doubts does Johnny appreciate?

5. Which boy always ends up having to kiss "Hester the Molester"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Owen mean when he tells Dan Needham that his play is lacking a "certain presence"?

2. How do the Meanys find out about Owen's Christmas responsibilities, and what is their response?

3. What was the conflict that Dan and Tabitha encountered when they were planning their wedding ceremony?

4. What does Owen predict when he and Johnny are down by the Squamscott River?

5. What does Owen gift to Tabitha and Dan as a wedding gift?

6. Why do Owen and Mr. Morrison have a conversation?

7. Explain the situation that Johnny will later describe as his sexual awakening.

8. How does Johnny Wheelwright's mother die?

9. What happens to Harry Hoyt's mother?

10. What is Owen's view of Tabitha's dressmaking dummy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Overall, there are two major mindsets in the novel of how you progress through life: with caution, or with passion. In an essay, discuss at least five characters who progress through life with caution, and five characters who progress with passion. For each character, give a short explanation as to why they have landed on each list. Then, choose one character from either side of the list and argue why they should have lived their life the opposite way. What does John Irving seem to be saying is the better way to live your life? Which side of the list had happier live, better outcomes?

Essay Topic 2

Owen Meany's faith that he is an instrument of God makes up a large part of his character. Choose two characters in the novel and compare/contrast their views on whether or not Owen was an instrument of God. How does Owen's history and beliefs affect their views of him?

Essay Topic 3

The novel takes places in a very important moment of American history. The Vietnam War becomes both a machine to progress the story as well as a catalyst for the behaviors of many characters. Why might John Irving have decided to set the novel in this time period? Was the war used as a machine to progress the story, or was there a deeper symbolic meaning to the time setting? Support your theory with examples from the text.

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