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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. What had been the only true aspiration Bruce had for himself?

2. Whose wedding to Bruce and Nola plan to attend?

3. What does Bruce believe about Nola and the first time he made love to her?

4. What do Bruce and Nola do when the return to the prom?

5. What does Bruce suspect is the reason Nola did not want to make love at the cabin?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Bruce and Nola have few intimate moments together?

2. How did Bruce separate himself from his own family in favor of the Mulders?

3. How does the author show Bruce's affections for his mother regarding his going to the prom?

4. Why does Bruce think more about his time with Nola than Chet when he returned for Chet's funeral?

5. How does Bruce feel that he is above Nola's family members?

6. What could account for Bruce's high opinion of himself as a young man?

7. What was the only life Bruce had ever envisioned for his future?

8. How have Bruce's perceptions of Nola changed over the years?

9. What did Bruce do when it became apparent that Bailey was hitting on Nola?

10. What are the contents of the box saved by Aunt Margaret?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Stegner use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the setting at the beginning of the novel. Does the author paint a complete picture for the reader? What, if anything, is missing?

Essay Topic 3

Memories take on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 906 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample