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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. Who challenges Weiss about the manner of Sherman's arrest?

2. What important piece of information does Kovitsky neglect to mention in his dismissal of the McCoy indictment?

3. What shocks Sherman's father at the end of their conversation?

4. Which of the following people is not in Abe Weiss' office at the beginning of Chapter 29?

5. On what day of the week does Chapter 19 take place?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the story that Arthur Ruskin tells Peter Fallow at dinner.

3. Why does Judge Kovisky decide to bring Sherman to his chambers along with the attorneys?

4. What does the mayor decide regarding the McCoy case?

5. How does Sherman's opinion of his father change in Chapter 21 and why?

6. As Kramer is interviewing Maria Ruskin, what does he realize he loves about his job?

7. What is Tommy Killian and Quigley's plan to get proof of Maria's complicity in the hit-and-run?

8. Describe Maria Ruskin's testimony.

9. How does Roland Auburn's story differ from the actual event?

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

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

As life becomes more complicated and precarious for Sherman McCoy, fewer and fewer supportive people in his life offer him assistance. This is a shame, because those who are not connected to the case are the most sensible and honest around him, his family. Write an essay about the three truth-tellers in his family. How does Sherman lose each of them? How do each of them serve in some way as his conscience?

Part 1) Judy McCoy

Part 2) Sherman's Father

Part 3) Campbell McCoy

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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