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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. To ease his hurt feelings, Arturo pays to:

2. Camilla's apartment is:

3. What refreshment does Vera bring to Arturo?

4. The priest Arturo sees has an objection to the passage in Arturo's story dealing with:

5. Arturo calls Camilla a cheap imitation of:

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Arturo no longer feeling particularly threatened by Sammy?

2. What is Arturo's intention when he waits in Camilla's car for her?

3. Arturo is feeling fairly good until Camilla shows up. What emotions does Camilla bring out in Arturo?

4. What does the sad character, Vera's presence in this chapter represent to Arturo?

5. Arturo finally gets a big break with the publishing of his new book about Vera. What happens to Camilla?

6. Discuss Arturo's response to seeing Camilla laughing over his telegram by going dancing. Is his response predictable?

7. Does maturity has much to do with the constant friction between Arturo and Camilla?

8. Why does Arturo return to the Alta Loma hotel after Camilla disappears?

9. What purpose does Willie fill in Camilla's life?

10. Why does Arturo send the escaped Camilla money, after all of her unkindness toward him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Arturo has some profound revelations as he searches in vain for Camilla in the vast desert.

1) Discuss what Arturo deduces about nature as it relates to humans.

2) What is the symbolism of searching in the desert for a person like Camilla?

3) How does Arturo make peace with losing Camilla for good? Is it a healthy way to say goodbye to her? Why, or why not?

Essay Topic 3

So much has changed since Arthur Bandini lived in Los Angeles in 1939.

1) Identify some of the modern conveniences that Arturo did not have.

2) How might the story have changed because of these, if it had been written this year?

3) How would Arturo have approached his career in 2009?

(see the answer keys)

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