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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. In Chapter 6, Dr. Larch writes a letter to tell Homer that Melony left the orphanage and that she took with her the only copy of what book?

2. When Homer is gone for three weeks, Dr. Larch says he doesn't care about who does what, so who starts reading to the boy orphans in Chapter 6?

3. Who shows up Ocean View asking for Homer in Chapter 10?

4. When Chapter 6 begins, Homer has been away from St. Cloud's for how long?

5. In Chapter 8, when the apple picking season ends, the farmer asks Melony to stay on for what in Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is symbolic about the trees at the orchard in Chapter 8?

2. What is Dr. Larch setting up for the character of Fuzzy Stone in Chapter 7?

3. What takes place on Thanksgiving in Chapter 8? Where is the novel set in this chapter?

4. What do Homer and Candy discuss on Ray Kendall's dock in Chapter 8?

5. How long has Homer been gone from the orphanage in Chapter 6? What is going on at the orphanage?

6. What is foreshadowed by the bombing at Pearl Harbor in Chapter 8?

7. What leads Candy to discover Homer's love for her in Chapter 8?

8. Who begins to press Dr. Larch toward retirement in Chapter 6?

9. How does Candy establish rules for her relationship with Homer in Chapter 10?

10. How does Dr. Larch relate to Melony in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Describe and discuss the setting of St. Cloud's, Maine, and the time period in which the novel begins. What indications does the author give to illustrate the time and place of the novel? Why is the time period important to the plot of the narrative? How does the imagery set the tone for the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the theme of fatherhood in the novel. Who, aside from Dr. Larch, exhibits this theme? How does this theme apply to Homer and Dr. Larch? Are their father/son feelings mutual? Why or why not?

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