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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. How many martinis has Alex had during the course of lunch?

2. Why does the narrator dislike going home?

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

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

5. What heath ailment does Wade knowingly joke about with 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. To what does the narrator attribute his need to belong and feel desired?

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

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

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

7. How did the narrator and Amanda first meet?

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

9. Why does the narrator seem surprised by his situation?

10. How does the narrator feel after his date with Vicky?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Debatably, the narrator's closest friend is Tad Allagash. How does Tad exemplify the idea of "Bright Lights, Big City?" What is Tad's philosophy in life? Is it easy for the narrator to buy into this philosophy? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

After Amanda's departure, all the narrator has left of her is a mannequin at Saks Fifth Avenue.

1) Describe the beginnings of their relationship. How did they arrive at such a dramatic point?

2) The narrator and Amanda are very different people. Could this have attributed to their downfall as a couple?

3) How is Amanda's mannequin representative of Amanda herself?

(see the answer keys)

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