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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 does Lydia react to the broken glass on her porch?

2. When Mikey is lying in bed thinking, which debate is he thinking about and replaying in his mind?

3. Who are Kate Jessup and Julian Solomon?

4. Which of Kafka's books is Mikey currently reading?

5. As a child, what did Mikey want to be when he grew up?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mikey react to having to go to the hospital to visit with his mother?

2. Why does Kate begin to grow suspicious of her secret meetings with Mikey?

3. What event does Lydia admit to Silas when she hears that Du Boise is back in town?

4. Why does Silas follow Du Boise to the cafe?

5. What memories does Silas have of his father, and his father dying?

6. When Silas returns from the hospital, where he attempted to pick up Lydia, what fears is he suddenly seized with?

7. How does Lydia react to the broken glass beneath her feet?

8. How does Mikey treat the small bird that flies in through his kitchen window?

9. What does Silas think about as he is driving home from the hospital after refusing medical care?

10. How does Silas react to the news that Du Boise is back in town?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although Mireille is a minor character in this novel, she proves to be a symbol for many of the underlying themes. Briefly explain what happens to Mireille as a child, and why her story is symbolic of the family problems in the Ali family, and the disintegration the family is slowly enduring.

Essay Topic 2

In order to get what he wants, Mikey typically uses vulnerable women to give it to him. Give three examples of times when Mikey has used his attractiveness to get what he wants from women. Then, explain what the downside of seducing these women has had on Mikey's life.

Essay Topic 3

One of the biggest acts of betrayal in this novel is the way that Alec betrays his friendship with Silas and keeps a dark secret from him for almost twenty years. Explain what secret Alec is keeping from Silas, and what lengths he goes to in order to ensure that the secret would never come out. Then, explain why Alec finally decides to tell Silas, and how this admittance affected their relationship.

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This section contains 955 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample