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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 item seen in the window of an antique shop does Vicky want in her house someday?

2. When did the narrator propose to Amanda?

3. Where will the narrator shop for his eventual girlfriend/wife?

4. What heath ailment does Wade knowingly joke about with the narrator?

5. What was the narrator's most significant contact with The Druid?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does the narrator's obsession with Coma Baby reflect on his own life?

4. Why is the narrator conflicted when he learns the French piece has already gone to the typesetters?

5. What does the narrator think is Tad Allagash's mission in life?

6. What began Clara Tillinghast's dislike of the narrator?

7. Why is the narrator having difficulty fulfilling his dream of becoming a famous fiction writer?

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

9. To what does the narrator attribute his need to belong and feel desired?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrator and Amanda were obviously mismatched.

1) How is the narrator's love of fiction detrimental to his relationship with Amanda?

2) What fantasies do the narrator and Amanda make of each other?

3) Though Amanda is portrayed as the shallower character, she is the one to end their fantasy. What does this imply about Amanda?

Essay Topic 2

Do a character analysis of Clara Tillinghast. Include:

1) Her professional background.

2) Her attitude toward the narrator, both past and present.

Describe the scene where she fires the narrator. How does she react when he essentially steals her thunder? Does she get angrier that he is not upset?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 768 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample