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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 see Joyce's criticism of Brakus as?

2. What does Wallace observe the passengers on the cruise feel the need to justify?

3. What does Wallace decide to take advantage of in his last days on the cruise ship?

4. Wallace imagines being on a cruise ship as similar to being where?

5. Wallace sees that elderly people and a ship have _______ in common.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Wallace anticipate he will be treated on the cruise ship? Why does he think this?

2. According to Wallace, why is Joyce a professional tennis player?

3. Was the brochure for the cruise ship misleading? What does Wallace observe about this?

4. How is morality a question in Lynch's films?

5. Why does Wallace time his absences from his cabin?

6. Why is the stadium at Joyce's qualifying match relatively empty?

7. Why does Wallace explain Michael Joyce to the reader?

8. Why doesn't Wallace participate in many of the activities on the ship?

9. Does Wallace give credit to Lynch's critics? What is his opinion of them?

10. Does Wallace enjoy ordering room service on the cruise ship? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wallace is very critical of pop-culture and its prevalence in American art. He fears that it may be all that we've become. Discuss the arguments presented by Wallace and the sources he cites. What is the objective of this discussion? Where does Wallace leave the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Two of Wallace's essays in the collection discuss his experiences while on writing assignments. Discuss how these essays differ from the other essays and arguments. How does Wallace approach assignments? How does it shape the way he writes?

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.

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This section contains 695 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample