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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 does Buddy like giving people bizarre advice?

2. When does Webb finally come to see Buddy play?

3. What does Lewis observe Buddy puts into his numbers?

4. The neighborhoods in "Coming Through Slaughter" have notorious stories of gamblers, prostitutes, and _______.

5. Why is Buddy on a boat?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why do smart customers come to Buddy early?

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

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

6. What does Buddy's world look like?

7. Is Buddy predictable? How so?

8. How does the narrative style reflect Buddy's music?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Buddy is very concerned with his hands. He is terrified of loosing them but does little to take care of them. Discuss Buddy's preoccupation with his hands. What do they represent? What do they mean to him? What is the symbolism of this?

Essay Topic 2

Bellocq is a complex character whom many hold personally responsible for Buddy's breakdown. He openly admits the influence he has over Buddy. Discuss who Bellocq is to Buddy and the narrative. What is this man meant to represent?

Essay Topic 3

"Coming Through Slaughter" is an account of Buddy's slow decent into madness. Discuss Buddy's madness and why he became mad. What is his madness meant to say?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 698 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample