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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. Who does Ignatius fear will testify against him?

2. Whose music is being played on the phonograph?

3. What party does Myrna say she is prepared to join?

4. What does Santa think that Irene needs?

5. Who knocks at the door?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way has Mancuso benefited from the raid at the Night and Day bar?

2. Why does Ignatius think the Ladies' Auxiliary will be an important addition to his movement?

3. What does Myrna say in her letter in Chapter 12?

4. What is Ignatius' opinion on psychiatry?

5. Describe the front page of the newspaper in Chapter 13.

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

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

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

9. Why is Gus looking forward to escaping to Florida?

10. Summarize Chapter 9.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss whether you think this statement is true or false: "A Confederacy of Dunces is about nothing and, as such, has nothing of any importance to say about 1960's America." Use two examples from the novel to support your argument.

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

With the students, discuss the use of dialect in novels. What difference does dialect make? Do the students think there are times that dialect does not work?

(see the answer keys)

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