View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Paul's relationship with Sean and Jake by the end of their first summer?

2. What does Paul compare the Andover Spa to?

3. How is Paul received when he returns home over his first Christmas break from Yale?

4. What scares Paul about going to college?

5. What stops when Monette finally comes out of the closet?

Short Essay Questions

1. What qualities/characteristics attracts Paul to Kite? How does his upbringing influence his attraction to Kite?

2. Compare and contrast the student population of Philips with the public schools Paul attends in Andover.

3. Describe Andover, MA as Monette grows up. How does Paul's childhood neighborhood affect his decision to not come out with his sexual orientation?

4. By whom and how are the Apollos revered at Philips?

5. Describe Jackie and Big Paul's reaction to Paul's magazine collection.

6. Although Paul admires Cody, how is this relationship yet again one-sided? How does Paul place greater importance on popularity than friendship?

7. Even after befriending gays in the theatre troupe why does Paul feel the need to continue to stay in the closet?

8. In reference to Bobby and his father's relationship, Paul quotes "Let them be the male-bonded unit." Why does Paul italicize "them" in this statement? Where else in Chapter 1 is this italicizes reference seen? What does this indicate about how Paul really feels?

9. How does Paul change as soon as he attends college?

10. Why is poetry a great escape for Paul?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title of the book is "Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story." How does Paul define "man?" How does it change over time as he learns more about himself and what it really means? What other definitions of "man" influence Paul's view of being a man? Does he ever achieve it? How does he find what it means to be a "man?"

Essay Topic 2

Paul meets many people in his life as he searches his way out of the closet. Even before Roger, there are glimpses of hope and encouragement from his friends and people in his lives. Write about the people in Paul's life that inspire him to come out of the closet. How do they encourage him to be true to himself? Even if they are not the ones to ultimately get him out of the closet, how do they bring him closer to coming out safely?

Essay Topic 3

Paul describes "keeping the wounds raw." How does this statement describe Paul's life and his writings?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,289 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample