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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. How does Paul begin seeing Cantwell?

2. What does Cantwell tell Paul to stop doing?

3. Paul maintains a tie with Philips Academy in what manner?

4. In Paul's sexual life, what two oppositions does he battle with?

5. What good deed does Paul volunteer to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Paul has a dream that his penis unscrews likes a light bulb and he is unable to get it back on. How does this sum up Paul's life at the time?

2. How does Paul feel about graduation time at Yale?

3. Paul is exonerated of the accusations laid by Greg. What are some benefits and disadvantages to this?

4. Paul has several ideas concerning love. According to Paul, love allows a person to do what? What is needed from a person the deeper love gets?

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

6. What Experience is Paul looking for in Europe? What are some examples of his Experience?

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

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

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

10. How does Paul view his autobiographical reading? What does he get from it?

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

Jackie and Big Paul raise Bobby as if there is nothing medically wrong. What benefits and consequences result for Bobby and the family from this style of coping? Consider physical and emotional benefits and consequences.

Essay Topic 3

Paul refers to occurrences that relates to his brother Bobby throughout the book. Based on Paul's writings, describe Paul's relationship with Bobby. What kind of a big brother is Paul to Bobby? Provide examples from the book.

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