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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. Why does Glen urge readers to boycott Dave's Kwik Stop in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter"?

2. Who is responsible for getting the narrator his job at the service station in "Firestone"?

3. In "We Get Along", what does the narrator's father record in a notebook hidden in his desk drawer?

4. What point of view is "Parade" written in?

5. What is Drew majoring in at CCCC in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Chad's father's childhood in "My Manuscript".

2. How does the narrator of "Parade" describe Patrick Buchanan?

3. Retell the story about the student priest that Mr. Holt tells Chad in "My Manuscript".

4. What is the genre of "Don's Story"? How is it a "spoof" on an actual piece in this genre?

5. In "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter", why is Drew having difficulty in his psychology class? What does Glen offer to do to help Drew?

6. What insults does the narrator of "The Last You'll Hear From Me" hurl at Annette and Randy?

7. Describe The Sportsman in "We Get Along".

8. Describe the narrator's imaginary nightclub act in "Music for Lovers".

9. In "Music for Lovers", why does the narrator often give his daughter stitches? What does he recommend when giving someone stitches?

10. Describe Margery in "We Get Along".

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Two of Sedaris' stories in "Barrel Fever" ("Glen's Homophobia Newsletter" and "Season's Greetings to our Family and Friends") are written as letters. In your essay,

1) discuss how letters are typically used by people,

2) discuss how Sedaris uses the genre of the letter in each of these stories, and

3) analyze the statement the author is trying to make about the genre of the letter.

Be sure to use evidence from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

While David Sedaris' stories are often described as sharp and cutting, they also offer a level of empathy and kindness towards their characters. Select 2 of the stories where Sedaris shows empathy and discuss how he shows kindness towards his characters. Compare and contrast the ways kindness is shown in each of these stories. Be sure to use evidence from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

One of the themes in the collection of short stories "Barrel Fever" is that of reality versus fantasy. Select three of the stories dealing with this theme and:

1) explain what the story says about reality and fantasy, and

2) demonstrate how the theme is developed in the story.

Then explain what you think Sedaris' overall commentary on reality vs. fantasy is in the novel as a whole.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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