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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. Rather than just paying Arturo what he owes him, Hellfrick instead:

2. A very important figure in Arturo's life is:

3. As they come out of their churches, Arturo sees the Parkers' and Smiths' faces as:

4. Instead of leaving the hotel for good, Arturo decides to:

5. The ironic thing Arturo says to Mrs. Hargraves about the rent is:

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the basis of Arturo's daring move to Los Angeles? What has given him the courage to relocate?

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

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

5. Is Arturo stalking Camilla in this chapter?

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

7. What does Arturo's interaction with Judy Palmer tell us about him?

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

9. What makes Chapter 2 comical, if anything?

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Arturo's ego tends to control him, depending upon his reactions to the events in his life.

1) Discuss how Arturo feels when he does something he considers good.

2) Discuss Arturo's self-image when he does something that conflicts with his morals.

3) What is it that he depends on for confidence throughout the story?

(see the answer keys)

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