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. How is Samuel related to Asa Griffith?

2. Why does the doctor refuse to help her?

3. Where do Clyde and Roberta arrange a meeting?

4. What does Sondra make for Clyde in chapter 32?

5. Where does Clyde visit at the beginning of chapter 34?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Clyde reacted to killing Roberta?

2. How does Roberta feel about Clyde's new friends?

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

4. What is Clyde's view of his relationship with Roberta?

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

6. What two taboos does Dreiser address in book 2, chapter 37?

7. How do the two letters show the difference between Sondra and Roberta?

8. How does Jephson boost Clyde's courage?

9. In what way does Clyde's behavior reflect American society?

10. What evidence does bring to the court in his opening statement?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An American Tragedy is what is known as the great American novel. What is meant by the term great American novel? Are there any conventions of a great American novel? What other great American novels are there? What ideas and conventions do they share with an American Tragedy?

Essay Topic 2

Both Clyde and Roberta are restricted by their moral upbringings. Using two examples from the book discuss how their upbringings affect their decisions in the book. Do you think their moral upbringings were more destructive than helpful?

Essay Topic 3

Mason uses the trial to enhance his political reputation while the defense makes up elaborate lies to persuade the jury to find Clyde innocent. How accurate do you think Dreiser's depiction of American justice is? Do you think it is a negative or positive portrayal or simply realistic?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 756 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample