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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. Who is the archivist in the library?

2. What short article, besides the French article, is the narrator assigned to fact-check?

3. Why does the narrator like Tad Allagash?

4. What item seen in the window of an antique shop does Vicky want in her house someday?

5. With whom does the narrator ride the train to work?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the narrator feel he is so different from the Hasidic Jews he encounters on the train?

2. How is the narrator's love of fiction detrimental to his development as an adult?

3. How does the narrator feel after his date with Vicky?

4. Does the narrator enjoy his work in the Department of Factual Verification? Why or why not?

5. What does the narrator hope for as he turns in an article that he knows is unfinished?

6. Does the narrator feel capable of understand other people's life experiences? Why or why not?

7. Are Vicky and the narrator truly fond of Tad?

8. What does the narrator think is Tad Allagash's mission in life?

9. Why is the narrator so upset when he forgets Megan's bagel?

10. What insights does the reader gain about the character when he forgets to bring Megan her soda?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the narrator and his mother.

1) Why does Michael resent that the narrator came only days before their mother died? Why did the narrator stay away so long?

2) What does the narrator's mother reveal to him on her deathbed? How does this experience affect the narrator?

3) Why does the narrator think he has reacted so badly to Amanda's leaving?

Essay Topic 2

Each chapter of the book has a distinct, often witty and ironic, title. Choose three titles and discuss their relevance to the chapter of the book. Be sure to use quotations, as the chapter's title is often repeated in different instances in the chapter. Take into account the novel's title--how is the theme "Bright Lights, Big City" repeated throughout the novel?

Essay Topic 3

What is the main tension between aspects of the narrator's life? Provide at least three textual examples of the narrator's struggle with this tension. Is he able to resolve it by the end of the novel? If not, is there hope for him to resolve it in the future? Will the narrator ever be able to grow up?

(see the answer keys)

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