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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 impression do we get of Jimmy's personality?

2. Where is the novel set?

3. What is Jimmy's race?

4. What changes Mama Jean's mood?

5. What is Jimmy doing when the novel begins?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Jimmy find himself when he wakes up in the car?

2. Describe Jimmy's departure with Crab.

3. What is Jimmy's situation with school?

4. What favor does Crab do for Mama Jean?

5. Why was Crab in prison?

6. What does Crab's story have to do with the trip he is taking with Jimmy?

7. Who does Jimmy think is looking for him?

8. What happens when Jimmy arrives in his classroom?

9. How does Crab explain having been arrested in spite of being innocent?

10. What happens when Jimmy finally makes it to school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How surprising is "Somewhere in the Darkness"? What did you expect from the opening chapters, and where did the book diverge from your expectation? How did the book set you up to believe one thing, and then give you another? Where was the suspense generated?

Essay Topic 2

What are the different visions of parenthood in "Somewhere in the Darkness", and how do other people's ideas complement or conflict with Crab's method of being a parent? How are parents supposed to act, based on "Somewhere in the Darkness"?

Essay Topic 3

Is "Somewhere in the Darkness" a quest novel, or just a novel about characters who wander around? In what way is it either one, or both? Does the fact that Crab does not accomplish his mission affect the nature of the book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 541 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample