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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. Why is Clyde worried about the pregnancy?

2. Where does Clyde take Roberta for her abortion?

3. Who does Roberta say Clyde is attracted to?

4. Who does Roberta room with?

5. What does Clyde decide is important in a woman?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the death house.

2. Why does Gilbert not like Clyde?

3. How does hotel life contradict what Clyde has previously been taught by his family?

4. How does Clyde's legal team begin their defense?

5. How do social mores and class structure hold Clyde back?

6. Why does Clyde appeal to Sondra?

7. How does Clyde react to the news Roberta is pregnant?

8. Why does Sparser drive at such a careless speed?

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

10. How do the Samuel Griffith family react to Clyde's popularity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

The novel depicts the American dream going badly wrong. What do you think is the American dream? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the American dream? How does the American dream affect the mindset of American society?

(see the answer keys)

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