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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 is Luster driving Benjy to?

2. What does the banker do when he finds out Caddy's child is not his?

3. What does Caroline wish for the sake of her husband and children?

4. Who is Benjy's favorite sibling?

5. How old is Benjamin when his mother changes his name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Benjy's mother change his name from Maury to Benjamin?

2. Why do you think both Caddy and Quentin continuously search for love elsewhere?

3. What is Quentin's relationship with his sister Caddy?

4. Why is Benjy's section so hard to understand?

5. How do you think outsiders see Benjamin?

6. Why do you think Benjy wants his sister back so much?

7. Describe Uncle Maury's role in the novel.

8. Describe the two parents of the Compson family.

9. Do you think Luster understands Benjy?

10. What can the reader understand about Benjy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do you think 1920's society reacts to Benjy's disability? How do you think people would react today?

Essay Topic 2

A southern family is often depicted as close knit and bonded by religion and a strong identity. Why do you think Faulkner chose to portray a dysfunctional southern family during this time? What was happening in American life where he could make such a negative portrayal?

Essay Topic 3

What meaning do you think the Mississippi setting gives the novel? Choose another state and examine how different the novel would be if it was set there.

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