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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. How many young men are on stage at the beginning of Act 1?

2. What does Wykowski say that the prostitute told him?

3. What duty does Toomey give to Epstein?

4. Who does Toomey punish with exercises because of Eugene's answer?

5. Who confesses to stealing Wykowski's money?

Short Essay Questions

1. What courtesy does Epstein give Eugene that none of the other soldiers do?

2. Who does Eugene talk to at the end of the scene, and why?

3. Describe Eugene's attempt to dance with Daisy.

4. What does Epstein offer to do for the other soldiers?

5. What is Daisy doing at the beginning of Act 2, Scene 6?

6. How long is Selridge in with the prostitute?

7. What does Toomey do to punish Eugene during the march?

8. What does Toomey tell the soldiers about their future service in the war?

9. What does Toomey threaten to do to the men unless the thief gives himself up?

10. Describe how Toomey wakes up the soldiers.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Two of the main characters in the play are Jewish, and throughout the play, there are instances of anti-Semitism. Discuss anti-Semitism in the play.

1) Why does Eugene not stand up for Epstein when he is the victim of antisemitic comments? Why is Epstein more often a victim than Eugene?

2) Why does Toomey say that he won't tolerate anti-Semitic comments among his men? Is Toomey antisemitic or not?

3) What is the significance of the incident when two soldiers beat up Epstein in the restroom? Why does it happen, and what does it mean to Epstein? How does hearing about it affect Eugene?

Essay Topic 2

One of Eugene's primary goals is to become a writer. Discuss this goal.

1) What qualities does a writer have? Does Eugene possess these qualities? How does Eugene's writing change over the course of the play?

2) Why does Eugene want to be a writer? Why is this an important goal?

3) What does it mean to be a writer? What does being a writer demand from Eugene?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of religion in the play.

1) How seriously do the characters take their religions? What influences do the characters' religions have on them?

2) How is Daisy affected by Catholicism and by going to a Catholic school? How does her religious background affect her relationship with Eugene?

3) Are the soldiers' perceptions of Jewish people based in religion, or do they have a different basis?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 640 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample