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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. What author did the narrator, in his first days at the company, give advice about his award-winning prose?

2. What animal does the narrator compare to Amanda?

3. In what point of view is the novel written?

4. Who does the narrator see on the West Side Highway?

5. Of what do Elaine's dance moves remind the narrator?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does the narrator feel capable of understand other people's life experiences? Why or why not?

2. How does the narrator describe his mother's reaction to Amanda?

3. What point of view does the author write in, and how is it distinguished?

4. What insights does the reader gain about the character when he forgets to bring Megan her soda?

5. Though Vicky seems an appropriate person for the narrator and makes him happy, what ill affect does the exhilaration of their date have on the narrator?

6. Why does the narrator strike up a conversation with Marianne, the archivist?

7. What contrast is the author making between the people of New York City?

8. Why does the narrator feel he is so different from the Hasidic Jews he encounters on the train?

9. Why does the narrator have trouble being in his apartment?

10. Are Vicky and the narrator truly fond of Tad?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the main tension between aspects of the narrator's life? Provide at least three textual examples of the narrator's struggle with this tension. Is he able to resolve it by the end of the novel? If not, is there hope for him to resolve it in the future? Will the narrator ever be able to grow up?

Essay Topic 2

Though brothers, the narrator and Michael are very different people. Compare and contrast Michael and the narrator, focusing specifically on their careers and stations in life. Why are they resentful toward one another? Why has Michael come to New York? Why has the narrator stayed away from home?

Essay Topic 3

The narrator constantly forgets about Megan--her soda, her bagel, and their lunch date.

1) Why do you think she slips through the cracks of his memory? Does his absentmindedness seem to bother her?

2) Examine the narrator's breakdown after he forgets her bagel. What excuse does he give her? What internal struggle is he having?

3) What are Megan's motives for inviting him over for dinner? Why is she so kind to him?

(see the answer keys)

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