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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. The first appearance of the bullet in what part of the brain "set[s] off" (35) a chain reaction?

2. The man with the pistol tells Anders that if Anders takes what action, the man will dole out a consequence?

3. What is NOT described as one of the few tricks "the artist" who created the bank mural had "up his sleeve" (26)?

4. Once inside the brain, the bullet is said to come "under the mediation of" what kind of "time" (35)?

5. What male figure does Anders reflect upon as he is gazing at the bank ceiling?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does Anders react to the man with the pistol's use of 1940s slang and what is the end result?

2. What piece of 1940s slang does the man with the pistol use and how does Anders react?

3. Describe the eyes of the man with the pistol.

4. What event happens to force Anders to examine the domed ceiling of the bank?

5. What factors lead to the memory from "forty years past" (35) being called up rather than another memory?

6. The man with the pistol wonders aloud if Anders views him in what way?

7. What evidence is there to suggest that Anders does recognize positive aspects of even art he considers subpar?

8. What is Wolff's purpose for describing the eyes of the man with the pistol?

9. What is the overall subject of the mural painted upon the bank's ceiling?

10. Discuss an instance of irony within Anders's final moments.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Wolff’s story “Bullet in the Brain.” Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the story.

Essay Topic 2

Determine Wolff’s message regarding the phenomenon of becoming a jaded human being over time.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Wolff’s purpose for using scientific and realistic language to describe certain elements of the story, such as the path the bullet takes on its way through the protagonist’s cranium.

(see the answer keys)

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