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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 does Willie say he needs for his opera?

2. Who drives Henry home from the bar?

3. Who drops in to see Henry with a bottle of wine?

4. What is the name of the bar owner's husband?

5. What is the name of the woman who checks to see if Henry is okay?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Henry's opinion of New York?

2. Describe Henry's first two days in New York.

3. What does Henry do in El Paso?

4. What does Henry do while his parents are away?

5. What does Henry promise himself in the fourth section?

6. Summarize the second section.

7. How does Willie die in the fifth section?

8. How does Henry lose his job at the dog biscuit factory?

9. Describe Willie Oxnard's house?

10. How does Henry meet Laura?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the American dream? What does FACTOTUM say about the American dream? What is Bukowski's opinion of the American dream?

Essay Topic 2

Aside from the main character, examine the way the author uses the other characters in the book. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

How did Bukowski view the post war society? What impact has his writing had on literature? Has his impact been mainly positive or mainly negative?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 655 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample