View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Whose autobiography does Mel White write?

2. What does Mel say about Karen K. in retrospect?

3. What does Mel pretend when he is younger?

4. The young seminarian invites questions about _________________.

5. By whom was a friend of Mel's murdered?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do White and Lyla do when they return from their honeymoon?

2. Describe Mel's relationship with Gordon H.

3. Where is White called to become the senior pastor, and what does Lyla do at the same church?

4. How does Mel describe his grandmother Noni as far as religion is concerned?

5. Describe how Mel and Lyla met.

6. What does Mel say about whom he might blame for his homosexuality and his feeling miserable as an adolescent?

7. How does Mel try to avoid being discovered as being gay?

8. What does White worry about on his honeymoon, and how does he solve the problem?

9. What does White say is Martin Luther King's belief about Christian involvement in social change, and how does White feel about his response?

10. Why does Mel not think it was unethical of him to marry Lyla when he returns from the Choir tour?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The topic of marriage is woven throughout Stranger at the Gate. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the attitudes toward marriage that the following persons seem to take: Mel White, Lyla White, Jerry Falwell, Tom Montgomery, Pat Robertson and James Dobson.

2. How do you think the characters listed above are influenced by Christianity in their views of marriage? Discuss thoroughly using examples from the book.

3. Compare/contrast the Christian view of marriage with that of Mel White. How are their views similar? Different? Which views are more like your own?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast Mel White at the beginning of the novel to him at the end of the novel. How are they alike? How are they different? Are they both sympathetic characters? Which "Mel White" would you most likely have as a friend? Why?

2. Compare/contrast Lyla at the beginning of the novel to Lyla at the end of the novel. . How are they alike? How are they different? Are they sympathetic characters? Who would you most likely have as a friend? Why?

3. Compare/contrast Mel White to Jerry Falwell. How are they alike? How are they different? Are they sympathetic characters? Who would you most likely have as a friend? Why? Is each one compassionate? Honorable? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Monogamy and marriage fidelity are topics that occur throughout Stranger at the Gate. Discuss the following:

1. What are the meanings of monogamy and fidelity?

2. Do you think monogamy is realistic in a long-term relationship? Why or why not?

3. Do you believe Mel is committing adultery when he is sexually involved with men though still married? Why or why not?

4. Do you think if gay marriage were legal, homosexual couples would be just as monogamous as heterosexual couples? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 972 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample