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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. Crawley is on a _____ fast.

2. At the end of Buddy's day what does he do?

3. Buddy feels like he can _____ Nora.

4. Jaelin is a ______.

5. Nora's mother is a ______.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do Buddy and Webb approach life differently?

3. Is Buddy crazy?

4. What kind of performer is Buddy?

5. How did Buddy become obsessed with death?

6. Is Buddy predictable? How so?

7. What is Buddy's relationship with Nora like?

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 Why does Ondaatje use the historical references of Bricktop Jackson, "One-Legged Duffy," Rich, Olivia the Oyster Dancer, and French Emma?

9. What is the effect of Ondaatje's sentence structures?

10. Why do smart customers come to Buddy early?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"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?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the statement on humanity "Coming Through Slaughter" makes with its narrative and characters.

(see the answer keys)

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