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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. Why is Mr. Bryant acting as standing editor for Leggett?

2. After the duel with Hamilton, how does Burr's political career fair?

3. How much money does Charlie tell Mr. Bryant that he has been offered for the pamphlet on Burr?

4. What does Swartwout suggest that Charlie do rather than publish anything harmful to Burr?

5. How does the case against Burr for the misdemeanor of invading Mexico turn out?

Short Essay Questions

1. When and why does Burr surrender to the governor of the Mississippi Territory?

2. Who is George Fuller, and why does Helen scream during his visit?

3. On what counts is Charlie arrested and what events surround his arrest?

4. What does Mrs. Townsend say to Charlie when he tries to come visit Helen, who has left him?

5. How does Burr feel about the Constitutional power given to the President? What other ideas does he have about the Constitution?

6. How much is the publisher to which Sam Swartwout introduces Charlie willing to pay for Burr's memoirs, and what are the stipulations?

7. What role does Jefferson play in Burr's treason trial after he is captured on February 19, 1807? What is his purpose?

8. When they go out together, how does Charlie introduce Helen and how does he feel about his relationship with the prostitute?

9. What similarities does Charlie notice between Van Buren and Burr when he visits Van Buren at the White House?

10. What does Leggett say about publishing the pamphlet as he lays sick in bed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you explore the writing techniques used by Gore Vidal. How does he communicate history? What effect does this have on the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the role that texts play in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you evaluate the novel's own commentary on itself. What does the novel have to say about history? What about texts? How does the novel define itself?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 758 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample