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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. To what famous figure does the narrator compare himself?

2. What animal does the narrator compare to Amanda?

3. How did Amanda end her relationship with the narrator?

4. Where does the narrator call from an empty office on the thirtieth floor?

5. Where do Tad and the narrator go to party?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why is the narrator so upset when he forgets Megan's bagel?

5. Does the narrator enjoy his work in the Department of Factual Verification? Why or why not?

6. How is the narrator's love of fiction detrimental to his development as an adult?

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

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

9. How is the mannequin symbolic of Amanda?

10. What was Amanda's home life like when she met the narrator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Each chapter of the book has a distinct, often witty and ironic, title. Choose three titles and discuss their relevance to the chapter of the book. Be sure to use quotations, as the chapter's title is often repeated in different instances in the chapter. Take into account the novel's title--how is the theme "Bright Lights, Big City" repeated throughout the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the narrator's elitism.

1) How has the narrator's love of fiction contributed to this elitism? Why does he feel he must alter the truth about his job to strangers?

2) Why is the narrator so concerned with being "in" rather than "out"? How much of this fear drives his friendship with Tad Allagash?

3) Could his need to be one of the elite have contributed to his relationship with Amanda? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of bread as a symbol in the text.

1) What does bread symbolize? What is the connection between bread and the narrator's mother?

2) How does the narrator react to bread in differences places in the novel?

3) How does bread bring him absolution in the final stages of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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