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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 does the narrator want Evelyin to meet in Chapter 33?

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

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

4. Who does the narrator note thumping his foot in the night in Chapter 37?

5. What does the narrator dream of in Chapter 37?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Who arrives at the cabin in the beginning of Chapter 23?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss and describe the religious and spiritual allusions in Big Sur. What religions and philosophies does the author refer to and in what context?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Lorenzo Monsanto and Ben Fagan. How are these two characters similar in their friendship with the protagonist? How do they differ?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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