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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. Who makes jokes to cheer everyone up in Chapter 36?

2. How old is Billy's son?

3. What does the narrator tell Billie he's afraid to do in Chapter 31?

4. What does the narrator see with joy and then fear in Chapter 36?

5. What is the name of the cliff top restaurant the group goes to in Chapter 21?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jack suggest to Billie regarding their relationship in Chapter 31?

2. What does Cody propose to Jack in Chapter 24 regarding Willamine?

3. Who visits Jack in Chapter 30? What do they do together?

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

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

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

7. What is the initial meeting of Jack and Billie like in Chapter 26?

8. What is Jack awaiting in Chapter 31? What takes place in the conversation between Jack and Billie here?

9. What does Jack compare the visions he sees in Chapter 37 to?

10. What is Jack's state in Chapter 36? What is taking place at the cabin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of "isolation" in Big Sur. How does this theme contrast that of "fame?" How do these juxtapositions create conflict in the hero?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Jack's relationship to animals in Big Sur. How is this expressed in the cabin and in San Francisco? What do the animals symbolize?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the defining elements of Kerouac's style. How does he approach grammatical rules? In what time frame did he complete his works?

(see the answer keys)

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