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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 medical reference book does Dr. Larch give to Homer to study?

2. What college did Wilbur Larch attend for his undergraduate degree?

3. Dr. Larch tries to get Candy alone to explain the procedure to her, and Homer escorts Wally outside in time to do what in Chapter 5?

4. What do Melony and Homer see flying in the air by the river in Chapter 3?

5. The older of the two orphans think the couple is there to do what when Candy and Wally arrive in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the setting of Heart's Haven and Heart's Rock compare to the orphanage in Chapter 4?

2. What does the character of Melony symbolize in Homer's life in Chapter 3?

3. Discuss the symbolism and foreshadowing in Chapter 4. What is foreshadowed by Candy's pregnancy?

4. Who helps Wally and Candy arrive at the orphanage in Chapter 5? What impression do these characters have?

5. In what ways does Dr. Larch record the history of St. Cloud's as described in Chapter 1?

6. What is foreshadowed about the life and career of Dr. Larch in Chapter 2?

7. How do the characters of Homer and Wally relate in Chapter 4?

8. What is Dr. Larch's reaction to Homer's leaving the orphanage in Chapter 5? What is foreshadowed?

9. What is symbolic about Dr. Larch's choices for the books read to the orphans in Chapter 3?

10. In what ways does the character of Dr. Larch symbolize God? How is this illustrated in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the character of Homer Wells in the narrative. How old is Homer when he is introduced in Chapter 1? When was Homer brought to the orphanage? How many times is Homer adopted and why do his adoptive parents bring him back to the orphanage?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Neal Dow and the parents of Wilbur Larch, and define and identify irony and symbolism in Chapter 2. What is symbolic about the train that Wilbur's father leaves on? How did Wilbur's history develop him into who he became as an adult? How close was Wilbur with his mother?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of sexuality in the novel. How do Dr. Larch's first sexual experiences relate to those of Homer? How is sexuality perceived by the characters? What are the consequences of sexuality seen in the novel?

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