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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. In spite of Marlowe's assurances, what do Carl and Henry know he will not do?

2. In what way does Henry say Carl and Boris are sufferers?

3. What does Henry think about when he listens to Debussy?

4. How do the commune people get money for food?

5. What is Henry's derogatory name for the Indian, Nanantatee?

Short Essay Questions

1. What importance does Henry place on both the past and the future?

2. Explain how Kelpi makes his living.

3. What are Henry's evenings with Carl like?

4. In relating his experience with the young Hindu, what is Henry expressing about his own beliefs?

5. What does Elsa say bout the Englishman upstairs playing Bach?

6. How does Henry use sarcasm in describing Nanantatee's lavish apartment?

7. What does Henry know about Walter Pach?

8. How does Henry contrast a merry-go-round and the Germans?

9. How does Henry see the American women at the Cafe de la Paix or the Ritz Bar?

10. What lie does Henry tell the Cronstadts when they invite him to join their meal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much of TROPIC OF CANCER deals with hunger. Miller makes it clear that hunger eclipses all other human drives. Write an essay on the broader theme of world hunger where people do not have Henry's ability to find food.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper discussing Henry Miller's attitude toward women. Do you think he is clearly a sexist? Are there moments when he appears to be of two minds about the value of women? Include his thoughts viewing the graffiti on the lavatory walls and the way he looks at Boris' treatment of Elsa.

Essay Topic 3

One of the more amusing antics in the novel is the letter writing campaign to find Carl a rich wife. Write an essay expressing your opinion about marrying for money versus marrying for love. Let your creativity flow, using humor to get your points across.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 592 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample