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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 do Philip and the narrator do extensively during Philip's time in Autun?

2. What will inevitably follow Philip's time of wandering?

3. What is the surname of Billy's friends with whom the narrator and Philip have dinner?

4. Which scenario does the narrator NOT imagine regarding the waitress?

5. With whom is Cristina taking painting classes?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are the Jobses and why do the narrator and Philip spend time with them?

2. Explain the correlation the author makes between Philip's soon-to-be-extinguished life and Philip and Anne-Marie engaging in anal sex.

3. What is the outcome of Cristina and Billy's attempt to fix the narrator up with their friend, Alix?

4. What does Philip do that lets the reader know that his relationship with Anne-Marie is entering its final stages?

5. What does the narrator find at Anne-Marie's that makes him think about how advantageous Philip is and whether he should warn Anne-Marie about Philip?

6. How can the narrator be characterized as observant?

7. How has Philip's life changed from one of ease to one of extreme ambiguity and what could be considered a factor in his way of life now?

8. Describe the two extremes of feelings that Philip has regarding Anne-Marie.

9. Explain how the narrator gleans information for his stories about Philip and Anne-Marie.

10. Describe a typical day for the narrator in Autun.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The act of sex takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

There is much symbolism in this story regarding the car that Philip drives. What does the car symbolize for the story? What does it symbolize for Philip in particular?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

(see the answer keys)

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