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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 does Luckman say the people who are after Arctor may have done to his house?

2. What is the name of the drug runner Arctor has been assigned to look for?

3. Which of the following did Arctor's roommates say was broken?

4. Who does Arctor have to edit out of the tapes?

5. What is Jerry employed as?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Barris not trust Arctor?

2. What does Charles remember from the time he and Jerry were roommates?

3. Why did Arctor's roomates visit Donna at her shop?

4. What happens if the right hemisphere takes control of someone's brain?

5. Why does an anonymous caller say he is suspicious of Arctor?

6. What does Arctor ruminate about the relationship between dealers and narcotics agents?

7. What does Fred say that is not part of his prepared text?

8. Why does Fred have to visit Room 203?

9. How did Thelma become a reminder to the three men about how straights are their foes?

10. How does Arctor use Donna?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Dick use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

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) Aside from the main character, examine the way Dick uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

Examine counter culture in America.

1) What is counter culture and how was counter culture in the 1970s different from counter culture today?

2) Why is A SCANNER DARKLY seen as a counter culture book?

3) How does Dick show the clash between the counter culture and normal society and how does this clash affect society in general?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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