View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Wallace consider his style of playing tennis as "boring"?

2. Why does Wallace believe references to pop-culture are necessary?

3. Post-structuralists believe that although the historical context can aid a text, much of it really depends on what?

4. Wallace isn't sure what _____ everyone at the car race is waiting for.

5. When did Lynch first become critically reviled?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. According to Wallace, what is a "Kmart Person"?

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

4. According to Wallace, was Image-Fiction successful? Why or why not?

5. According to Wallace, what does television reference?

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

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

8. To Wallace, is he still a Midwesterner? Why or why not?

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

10. How does Wallace feel about the setting for "Lost Highway"? Why does he feel this way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout his essays, Wallace often cites outside sources to either enforce his opinion or provide a contradiction for him to react to. Discuss Wallace's use of outside sources. How does Wallace analyzing others paint a clearer picture of Wallace himself?

Essay Topic 2

Wallace rarely discusses minor figures: most are successful and famous. However, he focuses on the person's struggle with this status and desires. Discuss Wallace's view of celebrity. Why does Wallace focus on these? What is the objective? What is the affect on the reader? What is displayed through his discussions of fame, struggle, and failure?

Essay Topic 3

In the essay "David Lynch Keeps His Head," Wallace discusses his views on Lynch's career and artistic vision. Discuss how using David Lynch Wallace responds to his earlier, broader commentary on American media.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 766 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample