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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 frightens the narrator most about his job as an elf in "Santaland Diaries"?

2. What does the old man say to the narrator that makes her vomit in "After Malison"?

3. What does Sedaris think every male reader of "Giantess" longs for?

4. Which of the following is NOT a topic of discussion when the narrator works renovating an apartment?

5. Who is the narrator of "Barrel Fever"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Khe Sahn's arrival at the Dunbar home in "Season's Greetings to Our Friends and Family".

2. Describe Dolph's confrontation with Alicia Cunningham in "Barrel Fever".

3. Describe Santa Santa in "Santaland Diaries".

4. Which elf duty is the narrator's least favorite in "Santaland Diaries"? Why does he feel this way?

5. What do IV and PCD stand for in "Barrel Fever"? What is the significance of these acronyms for the narrator?

6. What connection do the elves working at Santa Land have with "One Life to Live" in "Santaland Diaries"?

7. How does Jocelyn feel about her daughter's marriage to Timothy Speaks in "Season's Greetings..."? How does this compare to her feelings about her grandson, Don?

8. What story does the narrator of "Giantess" think he and Lili should tell the man whose plate they broke?

9. Who is Trudy Chase in "Barrel Fever"? How does the narrator react to a phone call from Trudy?

10. What are the two reasons the narrator gives for boycotting Malison's reading in "After Malison"?

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

Two of Sedaris' stories in "Barrel Fever" ("The Last You'll Hear From Me" and "Don's Story") are written as speeches. In your essay,

1) discuss how speeches are typically used by people,

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

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

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

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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