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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. Why does Sally Rawthrote call Sherman McCoy?

2. Why does Maria lash out at Sherman at the end of their meeting?

3. Who calls Tommy Killian in Chapter 30 with news about the trial?

4. Who visits the Reverend Bacon at the beginning of Chapter 25?

5. On what famous thoroughfare in New York is the funeral home where Arthur Ruskin's funeral is held?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Edward Fiske accuse Reverend Bacon of in Chapter 25?

2. Which of Killian's promises are broken during his arrest?

3. What aspects of Sherman McCoy's life are disrupted by the Henry Lamb case?

4. What information do Martin's two crack dealers offer regarding the McCoy case?

5. Why does Bernie disagree with Abe Weiss about the planned arrest of Sherman?

6. In what way does Shelly Thomas disagree with Kramer about the McCoy case?

7. What promises does Tommy Killian make Sherman McCoy regarding his arrest?

8. What story does the City Light run as a result of Fallow's meeting with Arthur Ruskin?

9. What simple domestic act does Sherman attempt the morning after his arrest, and what happens?

10. How is Sherman's experience at the di Ducci event different from his experience at the Bavardages'?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sherman McCoy, at the beginning of the novel, considers himself a "Master of the Universe." Write an essay about what that means in his life. How does it affect his attitude toward family? Fidelity? His work? What is Tom Wolfe saying about the nature of capitalism in the 1980s through the character of Sherman McCoy?

Essay Topic 2

Using the Epilogue as a frame, write an essay about the moral vacuum of Bonfire of the Vanities. Wolfe has created a world where the only way to survive is dogged self-interest and exploitation of others. Choose three characters whose fates are discussed in the epilogue and use their character arcs to show how honesty and high-mindedness does not pay off in the end.

Essay Topic 3

Bonfire of the Vanities is often compared with a Dickens novel in its satirical expose of the realities of urban life and its attention to the social strata of a city. Wolfe also uses a Dickens device of naming his characters in ways that reflect their essence. Write an essay about the way Wolf uses names to develop plot. Focus both on personality and action in analyzing the purpose of a character's name:

Part 1) Peter Fallow

Part 2) Reverend Bacon

Part 3) Caroline Heftshank or Sally Rawthrote

(see the answer keys)

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