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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 is the name of the parochial school the narrator went to as a kid?

2. Where does the narrator sleep when staying at Cody's house on visits?

3. What image does the narrator think of watching Billie wade in the water in Chapter 34?

4. What does the narrator say that is the only thing he and Cody ever argued about?

5. What kind of pet does McLear show off in Chapter 24?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jack reveal through exposition regarding Cody and Evelyn in Chapter 23?

2. Where does Perry take Jack in Chapter 28? What is his experience there?

3. How does Jack react to Dave's return from fishing and happy demeanor in Chapter 35?

4. What spiritual or religious imagery is presented in Chapter 36 in relation to Jack's state of mind?

5. How does Jack describe the inner world of his alcohol-laced madness in Chapter 21?

6. What does Jack write of his wishes for Cody to be a writer in Chapter 25?

7. What moment of hope does Jack have in Chapter 32?

8. What does Jack do once Billie has left for work in Chapter 27? Who does he meet?

9. What events trigger Jack's agitation in Chapter 21?

10. What do Jack and Billie talk about in Chapter 34? What realization does he have in this chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the imagery which the author uses in the final chapters of the novel as Jack descends into madness. What contrasts are used to express this?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the character of Billie Dabney. How is her relationship to the narrator illustrated? How do her actions contribute to the actions of the protagonist?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the character of Jack Duluoz in Big Sur. What are his principle characteristics? What are his objectives and obstacles in the plot?

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