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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. Who says she is going to marry Roy?

2. What does Arvin find in the prayer clearing after waking?

3. What does Carl do after Sandy falls asleep?

4. What does Willard nail to a cross in the prayer clearing?

5. Where is Willard going?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are Sandy and Carl and what are they doing?

2. Why does Carl wake up drenched in sweat?

3. Why does Willard decide to move his family and how does Charlotte feel about the idea?

4. What does Bodecker learn when he visits the bar where Sandy works?

5. Where is Willard going and what is he thinking about as he travels in Chapter 1?

6. What does Willard do after Charlotte's funeral?

7. How does Willard exact his revenge on the hunters later, and what does he say to Arvin about the incident?

8. At what does Dunlap hint to Willard one day when Willard goes to pay his rent?

9. Where is Arvin joining his father?

10. How long have the Russells lived in Mitchell Flats and how does that affect the townpeople's attitude towards them and Arvin's time at school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "The Devil All the Time" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "The Devil All the Time"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "The Devil All the Time" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Arvin and Willard. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Emma and Sandy. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Devil All the Time help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Bodecker himself has gone up in the world, at least in terms of public status. The reference to his taking bribes, on the other hand, reveals how low he has sunk in terms of personal moral status. The reference to bribes also foreshadows events later in the narrative in which his hard-won status becomes increasingly endangered by his corrupt activities and attitudes. Meanwhile, it's interesting to note how his, Sandy's and Carl's varied states of corruption are juxtaposed one to the other to the other, parallel situations that lead to parallel justice - death at the hands of the avenging Arvin.

1. Do you think Bodecker was always corrupt? Why or why not? Do you think public office corrupts many individuals? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss what is meant by the following: Bodecker's, Sandy's and Carl's varied states of corruption are juxtaposed one to the other to the other. Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

3. Do you think Bodecker deserved to die as much as some of the other corrupt characters? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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