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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. The unnamed narrator was recently diagnosed with a defect of what body part?

2. What event had the narrator and his agent just celebrated with a fancy dinner in Chelsea?

3. Alex and the unnamed narrator first met in college in a class about what topic?

4. At what type of school had the author been teaching before taking his leave of absence?

5. In what magazine was the section of the text entitled Part Two: The Golden Vanity originally published as a short story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What medical procedure does the author require and why?

2. Who is Roberto and what are his concerns about the world?

3. What major decision does the unnamed narrator make when he first attends a showing of The Clock?

4. Who is Alena?

5. What situation causes the author a great deal of anxiety when the librarian arrives for their meeting?

6. Provide an example when Lerner's role as a poet becomes apparent through his use of sensory details.

7. What event does the author recall at the end of the story "The Golden Vanity," causing him to conclude that the event had never happened?

8. In what location does Alex ask the unnamed narrator to provide the sperm that will create her child and what is significant about her lack of eye contact in this moment?

9. Name and discuss one theme presented within 10:04's epigraph.

10. For what reason is the author so conflicted about the choice "between twilight sedation and local anesthesia" (62)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the messages sent about the theme of appearance versus reality within 10:04.

Essay Topic 2

In what way does Lerner utilize irony within the text? Discuss at least three uses of irony within 10:04 and explore each instance's connection to larger themes contained within the piece.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Lerner's choice to tell the story of 10:04 using the first and second person points of view. What elements of the novel's themes lend themselves to this choice and what are Lerner’s intended effects on the reader?

(see the answer keys)

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