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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 thinks that he cannot be part of California's:

2. Arturo's memories of hotel guests are connected with:

3. Other than a few things that frighten him, Arturo sees himself as:

4. Many people have come to California because of:

5. Arturo's attitude toward women is:

Short Essay Questions

1. Still in his inflated arrogance over his new publication, Arturo returns to the Columbia Buffet, feigning wealth and importance. What is is motive?

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

3. Arturo tells Mrs. Hargraves that he never changes his mind. Discuss that statement and why it is ironic.

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

5. Discuss the possible reasons why Hackmuth made the decision to publish Arturo's thirty-page letter.

6. With all the stimulus in Los Angeles, why do you suppose Arturo has writer's block?

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

8. What is the irony of Arturo's attitude toward Mexicans?

9. Discuss the essence of Burt Hargraves, and its effect on Arturo Bandini.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Vera Rivken might seem a revolting, sad character, but her role in Arturo's life is large.

1) Discuss Vera's characteristics, and why she would be attracted to Arturo.

2) What did Arturo accomplish with Vera that he had not been able to do otherwise?

3) Discuss Arturo's response to her probable death.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Fante gives us, primarily, three settings that are vastly different from one another. Each one has meaning.

1) Discuss the "feel" of the desert, the beach and the inner city and compare the three.

2) What do these three areas symbolize in Fante's story?

3) What is significant about the characters' moving around among these settings?

(see the answer keys)

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