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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. Which child is a Miller favorite, gentle, silent, and thankful for everything, probably a result of the torments he has endured having birth defects corrected?

2. Miller writes that in 19__ the U.S. tried to fix the world's problems, but had itself deteriorated.

3. How had Doner supported himself in southern Europe?

4. What is Hieronymus Bosch's most widely known triptych?

5. What does Miller do when his wife and children disappear and he has no means of communication?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Miller stay in touch with the outside world, according to his depiction in Part 1, The Oranges of the Millennium?

2. What family lives in the center of Big Sur's community? Where in the text does Miller describe this family and others?

3. What does Miller write of Tolstoy in Part 2, Peace and Solitude: a Potpourri, Chapter 7? How does his domestic life relate to Miller's?

4. Who does Miller describe in Part 2, Peace and Solitude: a Potpourri, Chapter 7? How is this individual similar to Miller?

5. Miller compares Wharton's need to help others with the United States in Part 2, Peace and Solitude: a Potpourri, Chapter 7. How?

6. How does Miller describe Ephraim Doner in "Testimonial in Ut-Mineur"?

7. Miller writes commentary in Part 1, The Oranges of the Millennium, examining the American Dream. What are his major points?

8. Miller discusses his thoughts and philosophies on painting in Part 2, Peace and Solitude: a Potpourri, Chapter 4. When did Miller begin painting and how much has he painted at this point in the book?

9. What does Miller write of his correspondents in Part 2, Peace and Solitude: a Potpourri, Chapter 8?

10. Who is able to thrive in Big Sur and who is not, according to Miller in Part 1, The Oranges of the Millennium?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Miller's artistic preferences. Who are his favorite painters and sculptors, and why? What are Miller's priorities in art?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Miller's involvement in the War and how World War II affects the characters in the novel. What was Moricand's involvement? How has the war affected America?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of "childhood" as it is presented in the novel. What symbols reflect this theme? How does Miller believe children should be treated?

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