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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 does Jack remember the years following Rose's absence?

2. Who is Clara?

3. Who comes to pay their respects as Jack lies in the coffin?

4. When Ruth learned about Jack's new relationship with Rose, what was her reaction?

5. How did the townspeople find out about the change in relationship between Jack and Rose?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of burial does Mat know Jack would have wanted to have?

2. Why does Wheeler go to Jack's farm?

3. What does Margaret Feltner tell Andy before he leaves?

4. What happens to Jack after he has to rent out the farm?

5. What happens when Andy sees Jack right before he leaves?

6. How did Jack first meet Rose McInnis?

7. What was Clara's life like after college?

8. What happens in Chapter Nine when Jack goes back to his room?

9. How did people pay their respects to Jack at the Felter's house?

10. How does Mat feel about Jack's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Memory of Old Jack is a novel of historical fiction. Write an essay that explains what makes this novel historical fiction as opposed to simply fiction. Include a summary of the historical events and issues that this novel addresses.

Essay Topic 2

Of note in the novel is the emphasis that the author places on the slow death of the agrarian society in America post World War II. Write an essay that summarizes how Berry showed that agrarian society was dying out and being replaced by modern society. Give examples from the novel that show how Berry could have possibility felt about the issue as he wrote the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Summarize the plot of the novel, focusing on the events occurring in the present as the author is writing. Then, summarize the plot of Jack's life using his recollections to guide you. Are the two of those plot summaries similar to one another? Do they parallel one another in any way?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 808 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample