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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part 3: The Poet Masturbates, Chaps. 1-14, pp.93-114.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does the artist paint two X's on Maman's face?
(a) To illustrate his secret hatred of women.
(b) So that he can recreate her.
(c) To show his cancellation of humanity.
(d) So that her original existence means nothing.

2. Why do Jaromil's poems so often include death?
(a) He is gradually becoming suicidal.
(b) He wants to be absorbed in something absolute and immense.
(c) Death is the only thing he does not yet understand
(d) A violent streak is developing as he is treated cruelly by the world.

3. What reason does the poet's father give for not having more children?
(a) He cannot afford to raise more children.
(b) Jaromil is such a nuisance that he does not want more like him.
(c) He was forced to compromise for one child in the beginning, so Maman should compromise and be happy with only one.
(d) He is about to go to war and would not be a part of the children's lives.

4. Why does Maman blame Jaromil for all her troubles?
(a) She would rather blame her son as herself.
(b) She lashes out at him because he is defenseless.
(c) He has cost her the love of every man in her life.
(d) He is too emotionally needy.

5. Why does Jaromil write so many poems about women's bodies?
(a) The body is beyond the reach of his understanding.
(b) He wants to establish himself as a romantic poet.
(c) He wants to immortalize the body of his first lover.
(d) He is obsessed with how women's bodies look.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the artist's opinion about Jaromil's drawings of headless women?

2. Why does the blond girl wear a beautiful white dress to the dance hall?

3. Why does Maman weep as the artist makes love to her?

4. What is the first time Jaromil's words save him from punishment?

5. What kind of dog does the art teacher have?

(see the answer key)

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