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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 "The Violent Bear it Away" opens, how long has Mason Tarwater been dead?

2. Why won't Mason's neighbors give Francis a drink of water when he requests one from them?

3. Which of the following Biblical stories does Francis think about after his sexual assault?

4. What did Rayber's wife, Bernice, do for a living?

5. How old is Francis when Mason Tarwater dies?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Francis fear having to bury his uncle at the opening of the story,"The Violent Bear it Away"?

2. How did George Rayber go deaf?

3. Who is Francis' "stranger" who is later referred to as his "friend"?

4. What event at the science museum jars Rayber into remembering his own religious childhood?

5. How does Mason's neighbor, Buford Munson, react when he hears that Mason is dead?

6. What type of interaction does Francis have with the second driver that picks him up from the side of the road?

7. Why was Mason Tarwater admitted into a mental institution, and how did he get out?

8. What conversation does Francis have with Meeks right after Mason dies?

9. What events lead up to Francis vomiting in a lake?

10. How was Mason Tarwater buried?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout his life, Francis has two main father figures: Mason and Rayber. First, describe what happened to Francis' real father. Why did he come to believe himself to be an orphan? Then, compare / contrast both Mason and Rayber as father figures. What is the same about their parenting styles? What is different? How did each of these men influence young Francis' life? Finally, explain what message you think Flannery O'Connor is trying to give her audience about fatherhood. What does O'Connor believe the characteristics of a good father are? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe help to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Redemption is something that is extremely important to Motes throughout the entirety of the story "Wise Blood." First, explain what it meant to Motes to be "redeemed" when he was growing up. Then, compare / contrast the redemption Motes knew as a child to the redemption he knew as an adult. How did the idea of redemption fuel Motes' attitude toward religion in his adult life? How did Motes feel about redemption in the moments before he himself died? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Many of the characters in the story "Wise Blood" have extreme relationships with religion, and religion is easily corrupted by the characters of this story. First, describe the type of religion Motes grew up with as a child. Then, compare / contrast that religion to the religion he started as an adult. Then, choose one character whose life benefited from extreme religion and compare / contrast their relationship with religion to a character whose life was harmed due to extreme religion. In the end, what message do you think O'Connor was sending to her audience about religion? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

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This section contains 1,220 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample