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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 stays in Colleton with Luke?

2. What event in Tom's life occurs in 1971?

3. Why does the Sheriff take Amos' drivers license?

4. Who takes a stand for Benji before the football game against North Charleston?

5. What event causes Tom to cry while talking to Lila?

Short Essay Questions

1. What plans do the Wingo children have after graduation?

2. What admission does Susan make that startles Tom over dinner?

3. Why is it ironic that Oscar Woodhead hoists Benji on his shoulders after Colleton beats North Charleston?

4. What is the symbolism of Luke's solitary war with the government?

5. How could you characterize Luke's experiences in Vietnam?

6. How does the town react to "The Amberjack's" presence?

7. Why does Tom get in a fight in Chapter 17?

8. Why does Henry help "The Amberjack"?

9. Why is Tom shy in the locker room at South Carolina University?

10. Why does Tom agree to help find Luke?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tom spends much of his narrative delving into the lives and experiences of his parents and even grandparents. In fact, Dr. Lowenstein is occasionally frustrated by Tom's refusal to speak exclusively about her patient, Savannah, but Tom persists that in speaking about these seemingly tangential anecdotes, he is in fact providing insight into Savannah's character. Consequently, each of the Wingo children are an amalgamation of various influences and traits of their parents and grandparents.

Choose ONE of the following Wingo children and examine their character in terms of the influences he or she exemplifies from the Wingo parents and/or grandparents (Henry, Lila, Tolitha, Amos). You may write about one of these character's exclusive influence on one of the Wingo children or you may discuss how several or even all of these characters influenced the lives and actions of one of the Wingo children.

A.) Tom.

B.) Savannah.

C.) Luke.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the dramatic irony of Dr. Lowenstein's personal circumstances while treating Savannah. How is her own marriage and family an ironic counterpoint to the narrative Tom is sharing with her about his family?

Essay Topic 3

In the Epilogue of the novel, Tom is seen to repeat the name "Lowenstein." Similarly, Savannah was heard to repeat words and phrases during her time of extreme mental suffering. Do you think Tom Wingo has found the happiness and fulfillment that he seemed to be lacking in the opening of the novel? Or has he merely sacrificed his own peace and joy for the sake of family?

Write a persuasive essay in which you share your ideas on this subject. Be sure to justify your assertions with specific and relevant evidence from the text.

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