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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 Colin Willacy?

2. From what do most of the boarders at Cy's home suffer?

3. How do women's tattoos differ from men's?

4. Who is Muriel?

5. With whom does Cy fall in love?

Short Essay Questions

1. With what does the young Cy struggle?

2. Describe the type of clients that are often drawn to Riley's tattoo parlor.

3. What are some of the contrasting images seen in the very beginning of this book?

4. There are many instances of foreshadowing in this opening section. Name one and venture a guess as to what it could foreshadow.

5. What indication is there that "times are changing" even in a small town such as Morecambe? Why do you think this is so?

6. Describe Cy's first encounter with Riley.

7. How does Reeda die and how does this affect Cy?

8. What experience causes Cy to no longer be able to sleep under tight blankets?

9. How does sex figure into Riley's tattoo business?

10. How does Cy's mother Reeda respond to his possible apprenticeship with Riley?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Part 1, "Salvaging Renaissance," the narrator states that Cy's routine always begins with the question, "Ready?" It asks endorsement of the change Cy and the client are about to effect, an oral signature that Cy will match in ink on skin. Because some customers take the opportunity to flee, Riley berates Cy to comfort customers instead. Tell a story. Tell a joke. Saying nothing is bad form. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Compare and contrast Cy's handling of clients both in this part and future parts with the way Riley handles clients.

2. Which "bedside manner" would you prefer? Do you think women would prefer Riley's approach more than Cy's? Or vice versa? What about men?

3. Should Riley be trying to distract a client from changing his or her mind? Should the client not be distracted so that s/he can make a last minute change of mind?

Essay Topic 2

In Part 2, "Babylon in Brooklyn," Cy meets Artura and Claudia Overas.

1. Compare and contrast Cy and Artura.

2. Compare and contrast Grace and Claudia.

3. Why do you think Claudia has a larger role in the novel than Artura, who is after all, a tattoo artist like Cy and it is a book predominantly about tattoos?

Essay Topic 3

Part 2, "The Lady of Many Eyes," Cy goes to Varga's the night that Grace has given her the design so he can have a stiff drink or two before looking at the design. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Briefly describe the design and Cy's reaction to seeing it. Why do you think he reacts that way? He alternately wants to confront Grace and just accept. Why? What does he end up doing?

2. What do you think is the symbolic significance of the eye design? Why do you think Grace chooses it? If you were looking at someone covered in tattoos of a hieroglyphic-like eye, what would be your response?

3. What do you think Grace meant when she says in reply to Cy asking if she wants a full-body tattoo, "Sure. Until I am gone, poof, no more."? Is Grace using the tattooing of her body as a metaphor for something else? What?

(see the answer keys)

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