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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 state is Oscar from?

2. At what hotel does Clyde find a job?

3. Who does Clyde become infatuated with at the Griffith's party?

4. Why does Samuel invite Clyde for Christmas dinner?

5. What is the name of the restaurant Clyde has dinner at?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the autopsy results change the whole perplexion of the case?

2. In what way does the final chapter replay the opening chapter?

3. How does Jephson boost Clyde's courage?

4. Describe how Clyde kills Roberta.

5. How has Clyde's behavior affected those around him?

6. What important decision does Clyde make in chapter 40, book 2?

7. How so the strict social rules affect Roberta?

8. In what way does poverty benefit the prosecutions case?

9. What part have truth and justice played in the novel?

10. How has Clyde reacted to killing Roberta?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel depicts the class system in America in the twenties.

1) How and why was life changing for the working classes in twenties America? How difficult was it for a member of the working classes to make an impact on society?

2) What were the role of the upper classes in twenties America? How much control did they have?

3) Do you think there is still a recognizable class system in America? In what ways has it changed?

Essay Topic 2

Dreiser was a socialist. Using two examples from the novel, discuss the ways the story reflects Dreiser's political ideas?

Essay Topic 3

Clyde cannot resist women. Why do you think he is so weak in this regard? How do you think it affects his judgment?

(see the answer keys)

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