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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 does Bobby have that makes Paul feel even more sullen about his own life?

2. How does the man from the airplane turn Paul off?

3. What does Paul tell anyone for the first time during his autobiographical reading?

4. What stops Paul from having a relationship with Harold?

5. What does Paul purposefully do one Saturday after seeing some theater?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. As Paul starts up various relationships during his time of therapy, how does his whirlwind of affairs end?

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

4. What is it that Paul likes so much about his travels in Europe? How does his time there allow him to be freer than he has ever been?

5. 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?

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

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

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

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Paul is always talking about moving to California and how he loves it there. Why does Paul remain in the Northeast? What stops Paul from heading to California? Are there obligations, fear, or something else? How does his decision to stay reflect on Paul's inability to move forward in his life?

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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This section contains 1,472 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample