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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. What is the name of Jeanne’s son that comes out as a gay man in Chapter Sixty?

2. How old does Eli say the Indian woman was that took his virginity in Chapter Thirty-four?

3. Where does Jeanne say Ben went to attend college in Chapter Fifty-six?

4. When is Peter’s first diary entry dated in Chapter Thirty-three?

5. Who comes to the jail to give Eli a lecture on morality in Chapter Thirty-four?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Discuss Jeanne’s relationship with motherhood, as seen in Chapter Thirty-eight. Does Jeanne enjoy being a mother?

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

4. How does Peter respond to Maria’s presence and her need for help in Chapter Thirty?

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

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

7. Why do Eli’s troops raid the Federal soldiers in Chapter Fifty-two? What happens during the raid?

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

9. Discuss Eli’s views of slavery in the novel. How are these views illustrated when he joins the Civil War efforts?

10. How does Eli help the captive buffalo hunter in Chapter Twenty-five?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the reasons that Toshaway’s tribe feels justified in their raids in Texas and the southwest. Do you think that the Indians were justified, granted the behavior of the whites? Why or why not? How might these matters have been addressed differently?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the theme of “America’s creation myth” in The Son. How would you describe your personal idea of the creation myth of America? How is this myth displayed in the novel? Do you think that author Philipp Meyer brings up questions of the myth of America in the course of his story? How?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author’s depictions of gender bias in the novel. Consider the following female characters in the reading: Jeanne McCullough, Yellow Hair, and Hates Work. How do each of these characters face discrimination based upon their gender? How might their position change if they were male?

(see the answer keys)

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