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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. Of what profession was Judy's father?

2. At which airport does Maria Ruskin land?

3. Which of the following is not a letter that Henry Lamb says could be a the second letter of the Mercedes' license plate?

4. Which of Sherman's financiers offers him 6 million dollars less for the Giscard investment in Chapter 12?

5. What does Detective Martin covertly do while he sits on Sherman's desk?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Al Vogel suggest that Fallow present the Henry Lamb story?

2. Why does Sherman McCoy have to go to the toilet at his firm to read the newspaper?

3. How does Annie Lamb's situation make her cooperation with the police difficult?

4. How does Kramer's attempt to impress his liberal friends in Chapter 10 backfire?

5. What transformation occurs in Fallow's outlook on life during this chapter?

6. Describe Maria Ruskin.

7. How do the Brits at Leicester's generally pay their tabs?

8. How does Judy explain Sherman's work to Campbell?

9. After hearing Sherman's story, what is Freddy's concern?

10. Describe the speech Lord Buffing makes.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using the high society parties in Bonfire of the Vanities, write an essay about Wolfe's attitude toward the ceremonies of the upper-crust of New York society. What is expected and decried within these functions? Use specific characters (Judy McCoy, Bunning) and their interactions with Sherman McCoy to argue your point.

Essay Topic 2

The legal system in Bonfire of the Vanities is presented as a largely toothless organism, constantly used as a tool in the political maneuverings of outside interests. Using the Sherman McCoy case as a frame, write en essay about the weakness of the criminal court. Who is in control of the proceedings? Is justice served at the end? What does the courtroom riot signify about Wolfe's opinion of the legal system?

Essay Topic 3

Tom Wolfe's New York is a den of tigers, comprised largely of ambitious and venal men willing to exploit any angle to accumulate and keep power. Write an essay on the power-brokers of Bonfire of the Vanities:

Part 1) Abe Weiss is a subtly racist politician in a city of minorities. What does he do over the course of the novel to appease his minority constituents? How does he aggrandize himself in doing this? What is his aim?

Part 2) Reverend Bacon is a classic pious charlatan. What does he preach to his constituents and his opponents? What are his true designs in preaching this message?

Part 3) Larry Kramer likes to imagine himself as a savvy player in corrupt system and a defender of the common man. What does he want for his good works? What does he consider his prize for this?

(see the answer keys)

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