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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 Paul try out at Cantwell's suggestion?

2. How does Paul's relationship with his mother progress over time?

3. What causes Alida to leave the interior decorating business?

4. As soon as Paul finishes sex with the Navy man, how does he feel?

5. What character type does Paul imitate to impress the Navy man?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

3. Paul goes to see "Boys in the Band." What is his reaction to the movie and the surroundings in which he sees the movie?

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

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

7. 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?

8. 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?

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

10. On what note does Paul's first year at Canton end? How is it another example of the patterns in his life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Write about the different ways Paul and other gays in the book cope with their sexual preference. Do more hide it or are there more gay men who feel comfortable showing their real selves? Does it matter where the person is raised? Does it matter what age? Consider Raf, Lonnie, Alex, Paul, Doug, etc.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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