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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 weakness appears in Henry as he plans how to use the money given to him?

2. What happens to Henry under the pressure of his job?

3. How do Henry and Fillmore become conspicuous in the church?

4. What is his idea about his book?

5. Why had Henry always tolerated Boris?

Short Essay Questions

1. Give a brief description of Van Norden.

2. Explain how Henry compares Paris to a whore.

3. Where has Tania been and what does she want from Henry?

4. What is the one thing that makes Van Norden's dump of a hotel acceptable?

5. What do Henry's thoughts about the naked trollops represent?

6. How does Henry feel going to his room in the dark dormitory late at night?

7. Describe the nature of the job Henry accepts in Dijon.

8. What does Henry think about the English girl who stops him in the rain to ask for the time?

9. What is Fillmore's reason for being so considerate of Henry?

10. How does Henry see flow of the word about him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do some research on Hinduism and write a paper on how Henry may have only looked at the religion superficially. Contrast the Hinduism practiced by the young Hindu lecturer and Nanantatee with the Hinduism as practiced by Gandhi.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper on the power of words and how Miller's use of street language makes his novel so powerful. When reading THE TROPIC OF CANCER, does the vocabulary sometimes make you uncomfortable? Do you think that is exactly the reaction Miller hoped for? Discuss the difference in reading such a novel for its literary merits rather than for satisfying prurient curiosity.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 635 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample