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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. Arturo immediately identifies an aspect of Camilla that he can criticize, which is:

2. Both Camilla and Arturo put on a facade of:

3. What is it about Arturo's apartment that is perfect, as described to Camilla?

4. Arturo's new clothing makes him feel:

5. Arturo asks Camilla if her huaraches:

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Arturo portray himself as such a patriotic American?

2. How does Arturo survive his deep depression and low self-worth?

3. Is Arturo stalking Camilla in this chapter?

4. Why is Arturo Bandini so mean and insulting to the Mexican waitress?

5. After his wild spending spree, Arturo rejects his new belongings. Discuss the reasons for this.

6. In Chapter 2, Arturo's many fears are revealed. Why do you suppose Arturo is so frightened of women?

7. Why does Arturo give Mrs. Hargraves an extra five dollars with his rent payment?

8. Why do Arturo and Camilla perpetuate the negativity between them?

9. In their final exchange of insults for this chapter, Camilla forces Arturo into kissing her. Discuss the significance of the kiss.

10. How is Arturo trying to appear to the waitress? What impression does he want to give her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Not much is said in the story about Arturo's Communist friend, Benny Cohen.

1) What is Benny's purpose in the story?

2) In 1939, how would Benny have been viewed by society, in general?

3) Is Benny a good influence on Arturo? Why, or why not?

Essay Topic 2

When Arturo resigns himself to not finding Camilla in the end of the story, how does he comfort himself?

1) Discuss Arturo's mixed feelings toward Camilla.

2) If he had found her, how might Camilla's life have changed, if at all?

3) Was Camilla's problem with life all in her head? Did she have some real challenges?

Essay Topic 3

Camilla is a very complex character, whose condition deteriorates over the course of this story.

1) Did Arturo's involvement in her life contribute to her demise?

2) Did her relationship with Arturo lead to her mental breakdown?

3) At what points in the story do we really like Camilla?

(see the answer keys)

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