View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How long a jail sentence did Hennessey get?

2. Who does Toomey call out from the barracks?

3. What does Carney do at the end of Act 2, Scene 4?

4. What does Toomey do to get Epstein to take a drink?

5. What does Eugene tell Carney?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

When Wykowski and the other soldiers read about themselves in Eugene's journal, they are upset about what they've read. However, Epstein still encourages Eugene to be honest and not compromising in his writing. Discuss the role of honesty and truth in the play.

1) Why are the soldiers upset by Eugene's honest opinions? Is it wrong for Eugene to write his honest opinions?

2) Toomey steals money from Wykowski in order to foment distrust and anger among the men. What does this instance say about honesty and dishonesty? Why does Epstein falsely confess instead of telling the truth?

3) What other instances are there of honesty and dishonesty in the play, and how are they important?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 389 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample