Brighton Beach Memoirs Test | Final Test - Hard

View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Eugene say his knee hurts in the beginning of Act II?

2. How much money does Stanley give to his father that he earned setting pins at the bowling alley the night before at the end of Act II?

3. How much time passes between Acts I and II of Brighton Beach Memoirs?

4. How much money does Stanley say he lost in November and claimed he had a hole in his pocket?

5. How old does Jack say his grandmother was when she died?

Short Essay Questions

1. How effective was Neil Simon in integrating drama and comedy in his writing of Brighton Beach Memoirs?

2. What news does Stanley relate to Eugene in their room in the beginning of Act II?

3. When does Stanley return home in Act II? Why does he decide to return?

4. Why do Jack and Kate Jerome argue in the beginning of Act II?

5. How is the relationship between Eugene and Laurie illustrated in the play?

6. How does the conflict escalate between Kate and Blanche in Act II?

7. What gift does Stanley give to Eugene in Act II? What is Eugene’s response?

8. Where was Brighton Beach Memoirs first produced? When did it premiere on Broadway?

9. Why does Stanley decide to leave home in Act II? What does he ask Eugene for before he goes?

10. What has Neil Simon noted in terms of his relationship to Brighton Beach Memoirs and its autobiographical elements?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Blanche Morton in the play. Why do you think the playwright chose the name Blanche? What other dramatic character does this name evoke? How would you describe Blanche’s actions, objectives, and obstacles in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the theme of honesty versus dishonesty in the narrative. Why do you think Kate encourages Stanley to lie about having lost the money in a poker game? Would this suggestion be brought about under different circumstances? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the character of Eugene Jerome in Brighton Beach Memoirs. How old is Eugene? What are his aspirations? What are his relationships like within his household and family? How does Eugene change in the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 822 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample