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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 is Hortense cut?

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

3. Who clings to Roberta and makes Clyde and Roberta's relationship difficult?

4. For how money does Rubenstein try to sell the fur jacket?

5. Where does Clyde say his father worked?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Clyde appeal to Sondra?

2. What three taboos and social rules does Roberta learn in this chapter?

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

4. Why does Clyde befriend Miller Nicholson?

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

6. In what way is the political situation getting in the way of the trial?

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

8. How does Clyde's life change when he finds the job at the hotel?

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

10. How do the authorities react to Roberta's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 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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