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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 is the name of Bukowski's lady love in section seven?

2. As section one opens, what friend is Bukowski sitting with?

3. After leaving New York at the end of section six, to which town does Bukowski go?

4. In his introduction of Kerouac, Bukowski says Kerouac personally knows all BUT WHICH of the following poets?

5. Bukowski says in section twelve that he's on the side of what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Bukowski spends some time in the foreword detailing his thoughts about fame and reputation. Explain his sentiments.

2. In section ten, how does Moss convince Shareen to let them come over?

3. How does Henry respond to his ailment in section seventeen?

4. In section nine, Bukowski has what to say in response to the assassinations of Kennedy, King, and Malcolm X?

5. In section one, why is Bukowski stuck in his apartment?

6. Why, according to section twelve, is Bukowski happy to be living in the age he is despite the chaos and corruption?

7. Explain why Bukowski is tired of the bar scene in section sixteen.

8. When discussing the origin of the Open City newspaper, what challenges does Bukowski say that his friend John Bryan faced?

9. Explain who saws off Jimmy Crispin's wings in section two, and why.

10. In section eight, what does Bukowski have to say about philosophers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss Bukowski's view of death based on his comments in the book. Be sure to include quotes and other necessary supporting information.

Essay Topic 2

Is Bukowski simply unlucky with women, or is he purposely unlucky? Develop a thesis arguing whether his repeated relationship failures are pure mishap or if he plans them that way. Include supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 3

In what ways is Bukowski perfectly suited to his column? Could he write it for a more traditional newspaper? In a well-developed essay, analyze three characteristics of Bukowski's personality that make this column the perfect outlet for him.

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