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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. Nora's mother is a ______.

2. What is the only thing about Buddy's whereabouts that confuses Nora?

3. Jaelin is a ______.

4. Where did Buddy and Webb work when they were young?

5. How does Webb find Buddy's music?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Buddy become obsessed with death?

2. What is the significance of Buddy's hands in Chapter 1?

3. What do Buddy and Webb have in common? In what ways do they approach life similarly?

4. Is Buddy crazy?

5. How do Buddy and Webb approach life differently?

6. What about Buddy's disappearance is confusing for Nora?

7. What is thematically significant about Crawley's interview?

8. Why does Ondaatje use the historical references of Bricktop Jackson, "One-Legged Duffy," Rich, Olivia the Oyster Dancer, and French Emma?

9. Why do smart customers come to Buddy early?

10. Why did Buddy and Webb's dynamic change?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrator has an open fascination with Buddy. Discuss the effect the narrator's attitude toward Buddy has on the book.

Essay Topic 2

Buddy is obsessed with death. Throughout the book, the literal and figurative deaths play a large role in the shaping of characters and the narrative. Discuss the nature of death in "Coming Through Slaughter." What does it mean to Buddy? How does it shape the story? What is significant about death in the book?

Essay Topic 3

"Coming Through Slaughter" is a work if fiction, but relies on historical figures. Discuss how Ondaatje uses history in his fiction. What is his intention? What does it add to the narrative? To what end is this tool?

(see the answer keys)

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