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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 surname of Roberta's relatives?

2. Why does the doctor refuse to help her?

3. Why does Clyde not see Roberta on Christmas day?

4. How much do the pills that Clyde buys cost?

5. Who does Clyde see whilst out shopping?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Clyde's behavior affected those around him?

2. How do Clyde and Roberta get over their moral upbringings?

3. In what way does Clyde's behavior reflect American society?

4. How does Clyde's legal team begin their defense?

5. What do you think drives Clyde to pursue Sondra and ignore Roberta?

6. In what way does the landscape play an important part in chapter 29, book 1?

7. What impression does Clyde give to the onlookers?

8. In what way is the political situation getting in the way of the trial?

9. How has the accident in Kansas City changed Clyde for the better?

10. What important decision does Clyde make in chapter 40, book 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using examples to support your argument discuss the following statement. Dreiser prose is pedestrian, uninspired and cliched.

Essay Topic 2

The novel depicts the class system in America in the twenties.

1) How and why was life changing for the working classes in twenties America? How difficult was it for a member of the working classes to make an impact on society?

2) What were the role of the upper classes in twenties America? How much control did they have?

3) Do you think there is still a recognizable class system in America? In what ways has it changed?

Essay Topic 3

An American is a famous book which has greatly influenced popular culture. Choose a film or book written after An American Tragedy that you think was influenced by the novel and discuss there similarities in terms of a) plot b) character c) themes.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 701 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample