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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 is Arturo's ultimate humiliation in this chapter?

2. Arturo's only purchase at the restaurant has been:

3. Arturo was raised in a religious household. His religious background is:

4. If Mr. Hargraves were alive, he would have:

5. Arturo's worst enemy may be:

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss Arturo's feelings toward those people he sees coming out of their church.

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

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

4. Is Arturo stalking Camilla in this chapter?

5. Discuss the possible reason that Arturo decided to become a writer, which is couched in this Chapter.

6. What makes Arturo finally ask his mother for money?

7. Why does Arturo mention Benny Cohen in this chapter?

8. Arturo reveals in Chapter 2 the two things that drive him. What are they?

9. What role does the resident mouse in Arturo's room play in the story?

10. Based on his situation in Chapter 1, do you think someone like Arturo will be successful in his chosen career?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Discuss the symbolism of milk that Fante uses throughout the story. It represents many things and appears at different events in Arturo's life. Look at each of these events and determine what it is that Fante is trying to show us, using milk as a symbol.

2) What are the different characteristics of the milk in each instance?

3) What does milk represent to Arturo?

Essay Topic 2

There is a significant amount of substance abuse in the story. Why does Fante include this element?

1) What characteristic of the characters is represented by their use of substances, i.e., does it indicate weakness, happiness, boredom, etc.

2) Written at a time when marijuana was not so well-known, what is it about marijuana that Fante shows us in this story?

3) Compare Sammy's drinking habits to Camilla's; how are they alike or different?

Essay Topic 3

Fante's characters are developed through the eyes of Arturo Bandini.

1) Choose one of the characters to describe in detail.

2 Compare and contrast two of the characters' personalities.

3) Write about how one of the characters, if they were dropped into 2009, would be treated.

(see the answer keys)

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