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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. When did the American Civil War end?

2. What U.S. President does Jeanne recall dying in Chapter Forty-one?

3. How many members of the band does Eli say they lost during the raid in the beginning of Chapter Twenty-five?

4. How many members of Toshaway’s band are still living in the beginning of Chapter Thirty-one?

5. When does Eli McCullough describe a dozen Spanish cattle landing in the New World in Chapter Fifty-nine?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author illustrate Jeanne’s political connections in Chapter Thirty-five?

2. How does Judge Black’s wife perceive Eli when he returns from the Rangers in Chapter Forty?

3. What events and circumstances lead Eli to the cattle industry in Chapter Fifty-five?

4. Why does Peter express unhappiness about the discovery of oil on his family’s land?

5. How does Prairie Flower die in Chapter Twenty-eight?

6. What leads up to Eli’s arrest in Chapter Thirty-seven? Who turns Eli in?

7. What is the earliest conflict between the Garcias and the McCulloughs, as illustrated in Chapter Fifty-nine?

8. What circumstances lead to Peter’s isolation on the ranch in Chapter Twenty-four?

9. Why do you think that Maria tells Peter about the curse on the Garcia family in Chapter Forty-two?

10. Describe Eli’s narrative tone in Chapter Forty. What are examples of humor used in the chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the characters of Corkie and Jonas in the novel. Where does Jeanne meet Corkie? What are her impressions of this character? How are Jeanne and Jonas similar? How do these characters differ?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the nonlinear structure of The Son and the differing narrative styles established in the novel. How does the language style of each of the narrators differ? Does the narrative style reflect the time periods in which the story takes place? Why do you think the author chose to structure the novel in this way?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the character of Martin McCullough in the novel. How old is Martin when the McCullough homestead is raided? What kind of relationship do Martin and Eli have? How are Martin and Eli different in their responses to captivity by the Indians?

(see the answer keys)

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