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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who yells at Marlowe?

2. What kind of car is tailing Marlowe?

3. Who does Marlowe find naked in his bed?

4. What does Marlowe say has happened to Jones?

5. Who told Mrs. Mars to hide out?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel is set mostly in Los Angeles.

1) What meaning does Los Angeles bring to the novel? What would you automatically presume about a novel that was set in Los Angeles?

2) How different do you think today's Los Angeles is to the Los Angeles in the novel? How do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's Los Angeles?

3) How do you think the Los Angeles settings of the novel contributes to the novel's spirtual meaning?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the values of 1930s America:

1) Why was morality such an issue during this time?

2) In what ways are the characters negative characteristics a product of their time? Do you think America was going through a transitional phase in the fifties? What significant changes do you think occurred during this period?

3) Does modern society share any values with thirties America?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the character of Rusty Regan:

1) What is the significance of Rusty Regan to the story? Why does the reader never see him?

2) Why do the other characters seem to be encouraging Marlowe to find Rusty?

3) In what way does Rusty Regan add intrigue to the plot?

(see the answer keys)

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