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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 the narrator in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter" encourage readers to mention his newsletter to others rather than lending them their copies of it?

2. In "Don's Story", who plays Don's mother in the movie version of his life?

3. What does Don do to Mrs. Toni when she ridicules his dreams of stardom in "Don's Story"?

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

5. What type of transplant is Carlton waiting for in "Firestone"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Chad's relationship with Terry Glassman in "My Manuscript"?

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

3. What does Glen dream about in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter"? What does he tell Drew he dreamed about? Why?

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

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

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

7. Describe the narrator of "Parade"'s relationship with Bruce Springsteen (from his perspective).

8. Describe the "kid from down the block", who brings Dawn records in "Music from Lovers", from the narrator's perspective.

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 2

On the book jacket for "Barrel Fever" it is written "in David Sedaris' world, no one is safe and no cow is sacred." Select 3 of Sedaris' stories and:

1) discuss how the author's choice of subject demonstrates his irreverence, and

2) examine how the author "crosses the line" between civility and absurdity.

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

Essay Topic 3

Through the stories in "Barrel Fever", David Sedaris demonstrates what he believes humor is. Drawing on evidence from the stories:

1) define "humor" from Sedaris' point of view, and

2) discuss how he shows his readers what he believes is funny through his stories.

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,100 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample