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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 led to the narrator's depression and Wertheimer's suicide?

2. What happened to Wertheimer's body after his suicide?

3. How long had the narrator been gone from his apartment before he left it to attend Wertheimer's funeral?

4. Why did the narrator ignore Wertheimer's last card?

5. What did Glenn hate?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the writing change after Wertheimer's funeral, at the beginning of Section 6?

2. Discuss the role of Traich in connection to Wertheimer.

3. How did Glenn disprove his parents?

4. How was Wertheimer's suicide ironic?

5. How did Wertheimer attempt to save himself?

6. Describe how the narrator feels about suicide.

7. What did Glenn desire in people?

8. Describe the significance of the term "piano radicalism."

9. How did the narrator and the newspapers perceive Glenn Gould?

10. Describe the emphasis the narrator places on the way Glenn died.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does solitude play an important role among all three friends? Specifically include examples that show each friend in a moment of solitude. Support your statements with examples and quotes from "The Loser."

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the role Salzburg has with New York City in the opinion of the three friends. Support your statements with examples and quotes from "The Loser."

Essay Topic 3

Discuss "About Glenn Gould." Why does the narrator chose to write this and what does this tell the reader about the narrator? Support your statements with examples and quotes from "The Loser."

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