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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 devouring the Abelman's Dry Goods folder?

2. What is the title of Ignatius' new project?

3. To whom does Lana ask Darlene not to talk?

4. What kind of bird does Darlene own?

5. What is Myrna's native city?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ignatius claim he goes to the movies?

2. How does the beginning of the novel immediately show Irene as an eccentric, but neurotic woman?

3. Why does Ignatius reject the idea of a mortgage?

4. Describe the outside of Ignatius' and Irene's house?

5. What excuse does Ignatius make for not selling any hot dogs?

6. What kind of impression do you think Ignatius gives to people around him?

7. What is Ignatius' opinion on the sweatshop factory?

8. Describe Ignatius' first week at Levy Pants.

9. What problems does Jones have about his job as a porter?

10. How does Jones claim the police treat blacks in New Orleans?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Toole's writing style. How would you describe Toole's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does Toole's style give to the story?

Essay Topic 2

The novel is set in New Orleans.

1) What meaning does New Orleans bring to the novel? What would you automatically presume about a novel that was set in New Orleans?

2) How different do you think today's New Orleans is to the New Orleans in the novel? How do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's New Orleans?

3) How do you think the setting contributes to the novel's humor?

Essay Topic 3

Pick a character from the novel and discuss their goals and motives. Do they achieve their motive? Why? Do the share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do their goals clash with other characters with other characters? How do the characters goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 745 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample