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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 does Montgomery attend school and meet his wife?

2. How do his mother and the stable hand react when he asks about the missing items?

3. What does Montgomery feel it is necessary to tell the court that he is not?

4. How does Montgomery refer to his wife when they meet?

5. Where does Montgomery travel to after he neglects to pay back the money he borrowed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Montgomery tell the court about his bad moods as a child?

2. What is the irony about Montgomery meeting his wife through Anna Behrens?

3. Why do you think the people who Randolph borrowed money from to give to Montgomery cut off Randolph's ear?

4. Why does Montgomery feel it's necessary to share his dreams with the court?

5. Montgomery has the feeling he is about to do something very bad. Why is this ironic?

6. Is Montgomery's mother's reasoning for selling the paintings understandable? Why or why not?

7. Do you think the fight between Montgomery and his mother was solely based on the selling of the paintings?

8. A car bomb explodes while Anna Behrens is leaving the hospital with her father. What is the symbolism of the car bomb?

9. Why does Montgomery feel the need to describe his mother as "statuesque"?

10. Explain the symbolism of Montgomery's recurring dreams about his father.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Foreshadowing is an effective tool used by the writer. Montgomery foreshadows his crime and punishment in several areas of the novel. What are some examples of foreshadowing in the novel? How is foreshadowing effectively used in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Fate is a concept that is touched upon in the novel. What is Montgomery's fate at the end of the novel? What events lead him to his fate? Based on Montgomery's actions in the book, does he deserve his fate?

Essay Topic 3

External conflicts happen throughout the novel. Give examples of at least three external conflicts in the novel. How do these conflicts affect the plot? Who is the protagonist in the conflict? Antagonist?

(see the answer keys)

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