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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. All his life, Paul goes through many trials and disasters in love. How does he feel about it all?
(a) It is Fate and worth the road to Roger.
(b) It is a learning experience.
(c) Much of it is preventable, if only he came out sooner.
(d) It is his mother's fault.

2. What does Paul tell anyone for the first time during his autobiographical reading?
(a) That he is writing a novel.
(b) That he is gay.
(c) About Bobby and his medical issues.
(d) That he is scared of life.

3. Why does Paul believe his friends encourage him to go into interior decorating?
(a) They think he is a great artist.
(b) They hope he will stop living off of them.
(c) They believe it is good for him to get away from young boys.
(d) They hope he will come out of the closet.

4. What does Paul imagine himself to be if he is to never come out of the closet?
(a) A depressed poet.
(b) A lonely schoolteacher.
(c) A damned fool.
(d) An old man like Raf.

5. What opportunity does Paul get after Sutton?
(a) A job at Canton Academy.
(b) Acceptance to the graduate program at Harvard.
(c) A writing job for a start-up magazine in California.
(d) A free ride out to California.

Short Answer Questions

1. As usual, who does Paul best get along with at Canton?

2. How does Paul handle his loneliness over the years after college?

3. Why is Paul jealous of Justin?

4. Paul's time with Betsy feels like what to him?

5. What New Year's resolution does Paul make while in Puerto Rico?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Paul's life situation in the immediate year post-college? How does he feel about his situation? How do his parents feel about the situation?

2. What "new suit for the emperor" does Paul try out in his new life at Canton?

3. Although many of Paul's friends die due to AIDS and he expects the same ending, what he Paul happy about?

4. Compare and contrast Paul's life and role between Sutton Hill and Canton Academy. Which seems more fitting for Paul? In what way?

5. Paul describes walking away as important in interior decorating. Why is it important to be able to walk away? How is this the life of the high Bohemian? How does this match Paul's personality?

6. Why does Paul relate to Coward's work Song at Twilight?

7. Why does Paul's self-esteem go up when the French soldiers cheer him on?

8. What causes Paul to react the way he does with the Navy man after sex?

9. What moment does Paul finally get that is comparable to the Andover jocks that tease Mr. Nindle? How does Paul react to it?

10. What epiphany does Paul realize as he gets to know the personal loves of all his lovers during his spree of flings in Boston?

(see the answer keys)

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