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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. During the summer after Willem's brother's death, Willem works at what type of establishment?

2. Who began to sexually molest Jude after he was caught stealing a lighter?

3. In what year of college is Willem enrolled when Hemming undergoes surgery?

4. In addition to earning a law degree, Jude earns a degree in what other field?

5. After Harold and Jude become friends, Jude takes what position?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way is the theme of acquiescence included in the first part of A Little Life?

2. Discuss a time when Yanigihara uses a metaphor to represent some aspect of friendship.

3. In what ways does Jude feel out-of-step with the rest of his peers' experiences?

4. How does the theme of regret appear within A Little Life?

5. What is the occasion of the opening scene in A Little Life?

6. Discuss a quality that Jude has in common with either Malcolm or JB.

7. In what way are the themes of secrecy and control depicted in Part II: The Postman?

8. What is the significance of the title for Part II, "The Postman" (210)?

9. How does the theme of courage intertwine with the theme of secrecy within Jude's character?

10. What two elements of Willem's life in Wyoming does he miss?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What message does Yanagihara send within the pages of A Little Life concerning the link between guilt and responsibility?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the ways in which the themes of adaptability and resignation appear within Yanagihara’s novel A Little Life. What message is Yanagihara sending about these two themes over the course of the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Yanagihara’s novel from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,184 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample