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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. Why does the narrator of "Firestone" refuse to have his eyes operated on?

2. What does the narrator of "My Manuscript" aspire to become?

3. In "We Get Along", what does the narrator's father record in a notebook hidden in his desk drawer?

4. How did the narrator in "Parade" solve his debilitating life problems?

5. What does the narrator of "The Last You'll Hear From Me" encourage those attending her funeral to throw at Randy and Annette?

Short Essay Questions

1. What perplexes Carlton about the narrator's unwillingness to correct his vision loss in "Firestone"?

2. What is the genre of "Don's Story"? How is it a "spoof" on an actual piece in this genre?

3. How is Don's success in "Don's Story" ironic?

4. Why does Drew react negatively after Glen shares his dreams with him in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter"?

5. In "Don's Story", why does Don say that many people are watching his speech "with rage and jealousy"?

6. In "Music for Lovers", why does the narrator often give his daughter stitches? What does he recommend when giving someone stitches?

7. Describe Chad's father's childhood in "My Manuscript".

8. What specific directions does the narrator of "The Last You'll Hear From Me" give Eileen for the dress she is to wear to the funeral?

9. Describe The Sportsman in "We Get Along".

10. What is Chad's relationship with Terry Glassman in "My Manuscript"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The final four pieces in "Barrel Fever" are listed as "essays". In your essay,

1) describe the qualities that an essay typically has,

2) discuss how two of these pieces fit the genre of essay, and

3) discuss how two of these pieces present a unique take on the genre of essay.

Be sure to use evidence from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

On the book jacket for "Barrel Fever" it is written "in David Sedaris' world, no one is safe and no cow is sacred." Select 3 of Sedaris' stories and:

1) discuss how the author's choice of subject demonstrates his irreverence, and

2) examine how the author "crosses the line" between civility and absurdity.

Be sure to use evidence from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Look at the ordering of the stories in the collection and write an essay:

1) describing the progression of stories in the collection, and

2) explaining why you think the author chose to order the stories in this way.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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