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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. Where does Walter Dillard's uncle work?

2. What does Clyde have to do before Samuel and his family give him special privileges and social attention?

3. How late does Hortense arrive for her date with Clyde?

4. What is the name of the hotel does Clyde finds a job?

5. Where do Roberta and Clyde plan to meet?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think is Clyde's main weakness?

2. How does Clyde try to appeal to his rich friends?

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

4. Why does Clyde continue to go against what he believes is right?

5. Why does Heit get in contact with Orville Mason?

6. How does Jephson boost Clyde's courage?

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

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

9. What are Clyde's main worries?

10. Describe Roberta and Clyde's day out in chapter 18, book 2.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An American Tragedy is written in three parts. Examine the structure of the novel.

1) In what way dos the first part show the importance of a child's upbringing?

2) What are the main themes of the second part of the novel?

3) Why do you think Clyde's character does not genuinely seek redemption in the final part of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Dreiser depicts Clyde as a moral coward. Do you think this depiction of Clyde is fair? What are Clyde's strengths and weaknesses? Describe how Clyde could of used his strengths and weaknesses to become a success.

(see the answer keys)

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