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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 Wallace most like about the Expo Building at the state fair?

2. According to Wallace, why do Midwesterners take their vacations to be around people?

3. Wallace's thesis is that irony and ridicule are simultaneously entertaining and _______.

4. Why does Wallace see fighting irony as "impossible"?

5. After "Dune," why did Lynch begin to work on smaller projects?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Wallace believe cloggers have more fun than people at a rock concert?

2. According to Wallace, are commercials self-aware? What is the effect of this on the viewer?

3. What caused Lynch's downfall in the movie industry?

4. What is the idea of Image-Fiction? Why does it exist?

5. Does Wallace's visit to the stockyard barns affect Wallace at all? Why or why not?

6. Why did the students argue with their professor's position that works should make no reference to a specific time period?

7. According to Wallace, what tendencies does television appeal to? Who is television's target?

8. How was Wallace able to go to the Desert Competition of the fair?

9. As an adult, what does Wallace see as the purpose of carnivals?

10. What is a "Lynchian" film?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wallace discusses the use of irony mainly when discussing television and entertainment and criticizes it as being detrimental. Discuss Wallace's definition of irony and the detriments and benefits it has for art. What is Wallace's definition and objective with his argument? How does Wallace see irony differently?

Essay Topic 2

Identity is a reoccurring them throughout Wallace's experiences. Identity crisis is a primary theme of "Lost Highway," as well as what causes him great distress in discovering his own. Discuss Wallace's commentary on one's identity.

Essay Topic 3

Wallace at times is in awe of the nature of the world. At the State Fair, he admires the strong sense of community; in discussing Lynch, he praises his artistic vision; on the cruise, he admires the efficiency and luxury. However, he often begins to criticize the weakness of these things. Discuss how Wallace's shifts his opinion, what inspires this, and the experience for the reader.

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