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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. After Cornish McManus sells his "sweet" rifle to John Byam, what happens to him [McManus]?

2. Over what distance does John Byam shoot when he kills his first British soldier?

3. Although the unnamed man whose children find the "sweet" rifle in the attic of their new house finds it beautiful, he gets rid of it. Why?

4. What object rekindles in Cornish McManus the desire to build a masterpiece of a rifle?

5. What surprises Cornish McManus the most when first he test fires the rifle?

Short Essay Questions

1. When John Byam uses the rifle to kill British officers, who is doing the killing--Byam or the rifle?

2. In reading the novel, do you think of the "sweet" Rifle as a character or as an object?

3. Do you think that John Waynewright would have valued Cornish McManus's "sweet" rifle?

4. The cover image of several common editions of the book shows a highly-engraved flintlock rifle. Does the book describe the rifle as being engraved?

5. When Cornish McManus built his "sweet" rifle, what did he probably imagine it would be used for?

6. Cornish McManus is a superb gunsmith with great vision and skill. Describe his shooting ability.

7. Does the "sweet" rifle have a will of its own?

8. Why does Cornish McManus decide to sell the "sweet" rifle, one of his most-cherished possessions?

9. In reviewing John Byam's actions in the novel, would you consider him a hero?

10. What types of uses is Cornish McManus' "sweet" rifle put to during the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel openly mocks Tim Harrow's personal philosophy that draws from firearms and American history, the United States Constitution, and Christianity. Do you think that these sources of information are suitable for mockery?

Essay Topic 2

Why does the novel spend so much time characterizing Richard Allen Mesinger? After all, his interaction with the rifle lasts less than one second and the narrative makes it clear that Mesinger never even knew he was being killed. Within the narrative, what difference does it make that Mesinger was who he was?

Essay Topic 3

When rifle kills British officers, who is doing the killing--Byam or the rifle? When the rifle kills Richard David Mesinger, who is doing the killing--Harv Kline or the rifle? Why are the two situations different? Compare and contrast.

(see the answer keys)

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