View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who wrote, "When the various experiences come to light in meditation, do not be proud and anxious to tell other people, else to Goddesses and Mothers you will bring annoyance"?

2. What does one of the men say in the narrator's dream is in their sugar?

3. Who does the narrator suggest drive him and Billie to the cabin in Chapter 31?

4. The narrator and Pat sit talking about Villon and who in Chapter 23?

5. What does Billie say she's going to do in Chapter 34?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jack dream of in Chapter 37?

2. Where does the group stop on their way to the cabin in Chapter 33? Why?

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

4. What is Jack's state of mind in the end of Chapter 22?

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

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

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

8. What leads Jack to go for Cody's suggestion in Chapter 24?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Kerouac's use of metaphor, simile and personification in the novel. What effect does the author create with this technique?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of "man and nature" in Big Sur. What symbols and motifs are used to illustrate this theme?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 865 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample