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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. What does Lewis observe Buddy puts into his numbers?

2. Buddy is with Nora until ____ PM.

3. Webb went to train for ______.

4. Buddy walks his kids to school by ____ AM.

5. When Nora's mother visits, how does she die?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Buddy's world look like?

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

4. Is Buddy crazy?

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

6. Who does Buddy care about more: Nora or Robin?

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 Why does Ondaatje use the historical references of Bricktop Jackson, "One-Legged Duffy," Rich, Olivia the Oyster Dancer, and French Emma?

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

9. Why does Buddy return to the Brewitts at the end of Chapter 1?

10. How does Webb feel about Buddy's music?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Buddy is not prone to violence. In prison, he abstains from the destructive behaviors of his peers. However, he does fantasize about violence. Discuss Buddy in relation to violence. How does he approach it? Why does he abstain but fantasize?

Essay Topic 2

Buddy carries on two relationships in "Coming Through Slaughter." Both women are quite different, as are the relationships. However, there are a few circumstantial similarities. Discuss Buddy's relationship with women. How does he see them? How were these relationships toxic to him? How was he toxic to them? What is "romance" in Buddy's life?

Essay Topic 3

Many of the primary characters in "Coming Through Slaughter" are musicians. Music weaves itself into all their lives and into the narrative. Discuss the use of music in the book and how it influences characters and the narrative.

(see the answer keys)

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