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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. What did the narrator of "Parade"'s parents predict he would become?

2. Why does the narrator of "Firestone" refuse to have his eyes operated on?

3. What causes Chad to suspect that his father has read his "manuscript" in "My Manuscript"?

4. What does the narrator of "Parade" say people are constantly asking him for?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Contrast the story Taylor tells about his child with the actual facts about his child in "Firestone".

3. How does Chad conduct research for his book in "My Manuscript"?

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

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

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

7. Describe Margery in "We Get Along".

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

9. Describe a typical first date for the "old" version of the narrator of "Parade".

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of Sedaris' stories encourage his readers to re-examine their views about gender and sexuality. Select 2 of the stories from "Barrel Fever" and:

1) discuss how the story goes against conventional/traditional views of gender and/or sexuality, and

2) discuss the new version of gender/sexuality offered by the author.

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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