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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 kind of car does Myrna drive?

2. How many times is Santa's mother arrested?

3. What does George do with the newspaper article?

4. What does Mrs. Levy plan to establish?

5. Who would Jones like to find?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ignatius refuse to talk to priests?

2. What complaints does Clyde have about Ignatius' work in Chapter 9?

3. Why do Claude and Santa think Irene should put Ignatius in a charity hospital?

4. Describe Jones' idea for Darlene's act.

5. What does Dorain say about his life and family in Chapter 12?

6. Why does Claude not want to see Mancuso?

7. How does Annie react to the newspaper article?

8. What characters does Ignatius think have caused his downfall?

9. How do the characters react to Claude's aggression towards Mancuso in Chapter 8?

10. What do Dorian and his friends think of Mancuso?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Toole's humor. What meaning does it give to the novel? What would the story be like without humor? Does it have any dramatic impact? Does the humor cover any deficiencies, for example, in the plot structure?

Essay Topic 2

Look at the structure of the novel.

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure; Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main character Ignatius examine the way Toole uses the other characters in the story. Does she use him or her for dramatic effect or comic aside? When does she introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

Toole lived in New Orleans with his mother, adhering to the rule that writers should always write about what they know. Do you think it is obvious that Toole knows his subject? What difference do you think it makes to the story? Are there any moments where you think Toole does not portray a character or setting so well? What effect does it have on the story?

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