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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. In "My Manuscript", what quality does Mrs. Peacock have that she says makes her a "housekeeper" instead of a "maid"?

2. How does the narrator of "Parade" feel about how he was treated by his parents when he was a child?

3. Why does the narrator of "Parade" specifically choose Oprah's show to appear on?

4. Why is Taylor given many of the narrator's job duties in "Firestone"?

5. In "We Get Along", why is Evelyne obsessed with the initials W.S.?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Don's Story", why does Don say that many people are watching his speech "with rage and jealousy"?

2. What specific directions does the narrator of "The Last You'll Hear From Me" give Eileen for the dress she is to wear to the funeral?

3. Describe the narrator's experience with the woman on the bus in "Firestone".

4. Describe the instances of "homophobia" that Glen believes he experiences after speaking with Drew on the phone in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter".

5. Contrast the narrator in "Firestone" with his co-workers (Carlton and Taylor).

6. Describe the scene at Barbra Streisand's house in "Don's Story".

7. In "We Get Along", what do the narrator and his mother do late at night? Why?

8. In "We Get Along", what does the narrator think the initials W.S. stand for? Why?

9. Why does Drew react negatively after Glen shares his dreams with him in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter"?

10. What is the tone of the story "Parade"? How does the author create this tone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Barrel Fever", the author David Sedaris frequently pushes his topics to the point of absurdity. Select three of the stories where Sedaris uses absurdity and:

1) discuss how absurdity is used in the story,

2) analyze why absurdity is used in the story, and

3) determine the purpose of the absurdity in the stories. Why does Sedaris like to point out the absurd in life?

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

Essay Topic 2

Several of the stories in this collection offer a commentary on relationships. Select three of the stories in which this commentary is developed and:

1) explain what the stories say about relationships,

2) demonstrate how the author develops this commentary in the story, and

3) respond to the author's commentary: Do you agree or disagree with him? Why?

Be sure to use specific examples 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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