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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Vivian put all her winnings on?

2. Who doe Marlowe think has something on Vivian?

3. Who does Marlowe say he was trying to protect?

4. What does Marlowe ask Mrs. Mars for?

5. Where does Captain Gregory work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Big Sleep is a famous book which has greatly influenced modern literature. Choose a book written after the novel that you think was influenced by it and discuss there similarities in terms of:

a) plot

b) character

c) themes.

Essay Topic 2

Why did Chandler chose to examine pornography in the Big Sleep? What is his view is on the industry? Does he communicate this view through the character of Philip Marlowe? What was the perception of pornography in thirties America compared to what it is today?

Essay Topic 3

Examine violence in the novel:

1) How do the characters in the novel view violence? Are there are character that would think twice before shooting or hitting someone?

2) Do the characters need to be violent to cope in the world that Chandler portrays?

3) How do the students think the public reacted to the novel's violence when it was first published? How would the public react to such a book today?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 235 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample