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. Who is Peter W.?

2. What does Mel say he now knows about his attraction to boys?

3. Who phoned the camp to have the young seminarian sent home?

4. What does Ted do after he becomes enraged at Mel?

5. Why does Mel feel alienated in high school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does White start to pursue concerning his feelings of attraction to other men?

2. What movie and book does White produce while serving as the pastor of Evangelical Covenant?

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

4. What is Mel's memories of a boy named Darrel at camp?

5. What does Mel write about Johnny B.?

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

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

8. How does Lyla become a Christian?

9. Describe Mel's relationship with Gordon H.

10. What does Mel White recall about a young seminarian who preached at a church camp Mel attends when he is twelve?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Stranger at the Gate ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are at least three reasons to read non-fiction? Discuss each one in light of Stranger at the Gate and if it fulfills some or all of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Stranger at the Gate is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. Would you have wished the ending to be different? Why or why not? Would that ending have changed what the author wished to convey with the book?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful work of non-fiction/memoir?

2. Analyze and discuss Stranger at the Gate based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Stranger at the Gate is a successful work of non-fiction/memoir.

3. Is Stranger at the Gate a book you would recommend to a friend? Why or why not? Explain.

4. Can a novel be successful and yet many readers not enjoy it? Explain your response.

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 1,164 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample