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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 did Julian get Caroline for Christmas?

2. What is the distinction Julian has with Ed Charney?

3. How does Ed feel about his wife?

4. Where do Julian and Caroline go today?

5. What do the big spenders drink?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Al Grecco?

2. What does Christmas dinner at Julian's parent's home exemplify?

3. What is the disconnect between William and Julian?

4. How does Julian's boyhood affect his behavior today?

5. What were the repercussions of the coal strike in 1925?

6. What is the impact of Julian's inappropriate behavior with Helene?

7. How does Julian's cycle of alcohol abuse exhibit on this fateful night?

8. In what way does Caroline show that she does not have any better coping skills that Julian does?

9. What is ironic about Julian's offense toward Harry Reilly?

10. Explain the etiquette dynamics of parties held in Gibbsville in regard to escorts for the women.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What was the author's purpose for establishing the story at the Christmas holiday? Is there any significance to his choosing this holiday? What is particularly poignant or painful about this choice for his characters? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Explain Prohibition and its effect on the U.S. in the 1920s and 1930s. How do Julian and his friends manage to sidestep Prohibition? Explain why Prohibition gives rise to organized crime.

Essay Topic 3

What is the nature of Julian's guilt related to World War I? Why is Julian so volatile when he encounters Froggy? Explain.

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