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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. How did Ruth feel about Jack doing all of the dirty tasks around the farm?

2. What does Jack remember about what occurred on the day after the mules arrived?

3. What reminds Jack about buying mules many years ago?

4. What is Mat's response to Margaret's suggestion regarding Jack?

5. What are Mat's feelings concerning Lightning Berlew?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the summary of Mat Feltner's conversation with with his wife about Jack coming to live with them?

2. What are the two different views of Andy's upcoming departure for college?

3. What memory does Jack have about a day in church when he noticed someone new?

4. Who is Hannah Coultner and what is her relationship to the Feltner family?

5. As the book opens, what does Jack remember about mules as he stands on the porch listening to Mat call the cows?

6. What part of Jack's memory at the beginning of the novel involves Mat?

7. How does Ruth feel about Jack?

8. How does Jack feel about his memories?

9. After the dinner at the Feltner's house, what is the memory that Jack has about?

10. What was Jack like when he was younger?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many times during Jack's recollections where he wishes things would have been different, and often, these events could have been dramatically changed if Jack had chosen to do something about the situation. Repeatedly, the reader sees that Jack is unwilling to do much to change those situations. Is Jack's unwillingness to actively change situations in his life just a matter of his personality, or does it have something to do with the way he was raised? Could this passive nature of Jack have to do with societal customs of the time in which he was living? Write an essay that addresses this topic.

Essay Topic 2

Most of the novel shows that Jack is fraught with regret about things in this life. As he reflects on his life, it is apparent that he is not particularly happy with it, though perhaps he is content. The climax of the novel involves Jack's death. This combination does not necessarily make for a cheerful uplifting, novel. Write an essay that addresses the entire mood of the novel. Was the mood intended to be depressing? Did you find the mood inspiring? How effective was the mood in proving the author's point?

Essay Topic 3

Jack reflects on his marriage with much regret. Write an essay that addresses the disappointment that Jack and Ruth had with each other. In what of Jack's character was Ruth disappointed, and in what aspect of Ruth's person was Jack disappointed? How does the character of Hannah Coultner give some clues as to how Jack wishes his disappointment with Ruth had been different?

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