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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 about the ship's church service reinforces the affect of luxury?

2. When does Wallace explain Joyce made the decision to play tennis?

3. Why doesn't Wallace participate in the hypnotism?

4. Wallace speculates that there might be a _______point to Lynch using his ex-wife's paintings in "Lost Highway."

5. Why is Wallace able to spend so much time talking to Tibor?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do people smoke at the Canadian Open tennis tournament?

2. Why does Wallace sit alone at breakfast on the cruise ship?

3. Why does Lynch rarely use minorities in his films?

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

5. When does Wallace suddenly become dissatisfied with the standards of his cruise ship? Why does this happen?

6. How does Wallace feel about his Celebrity Cruise assignment?

7. Does Wallace believe he could have been a great tennis player? Why or why not?

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

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

10. Why does Wallace consider tennis to be the most beautiful and demanding sport?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In several of Wallace's essays where he discusses his experiences, Wallace often has a new found clarity on himself. While at the State Fair, Wallace discovers the nature and purpose of events and his presence in the culture. While on the cruise, Wallace discovers the nature of his discomfort. Discuss how Wallace develops these enlightenments and the road the reader takes with him.

Essay Topic 2

Wallace often addresses his Midwestern roots in his essays, implying that the Midwest has shaped him in some way. Discuss how the Midwest has shaped Wallace and the way it is reflected in his writing.

Essay Topic 3

In the essay "Getting Away From pretty Much Being Away From It All," Wallace is on assignment in his home state of Illinois. Through his exploration of the State Fair, Wallace's Eastern and Midwestern identities are brought into question and clashes between the two arise. Discuss what Wallace finds about himself and the regions as being a once native, now outsider.

(see the answer keys)

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