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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Bishop jump off of Tarwater's bed at the end of chapter 8?

2. What does Tarwater do with the hand Bishop tried to touch in the hotel lobby?

3. Who does Tarwater see at the gas station?

4. What does Tarwater eat for lunch before fishing?

5. Who thinks to himself, "I must have infinite patience"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The three sections of "The Violent Bear It Away" feature Tarwater in three different settings and under the "care" of different family members, including himself. Compare and contrast the ways that each section helps develop Tarwater and reflects Tarwater as a character.

Essay Topic 2

This novel is set in the American South. Describe the setting, culture, and ways of the American South and how it impacted the novel and characters.

Essay Topic 3

The characters in "The Violent Bear It Away" were often called different names. Rayber was also "the schoolteacher", and Mason was often called "the old man", for examples. Analyze what the different names imply and which characters used varying names to refer to other characters. Were there power struggles evident, or judgments passed? What is the importance of a name?

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This section contains 262 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample