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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 breaks Pickett's elbow and damages his knee?

2. How does Dude Botley describe Buddy?

3. What is the ice used for after it melts?

4. How does Bellocq feel about Buddy's disappearance?

5. In Chapter 2, Buddy loses his nerve when?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Buddy considerate of Jaelin's feelings? How does he approach Jaelin's emotions?

2. How does Buddy feel about coming back home?

3. In his description of the fight with Pickett, how does Buddy interrupt himself?

4. While photographing prostitutes, how involved is Bellocq in his work?

5. At the end of Chapter 2, is a new crisis inevitable? Why?

6. Is Buddy helpless? How?

7. How do Jaelin and Buddy approach Buddy's affair with Robin similarly?

8. How does Buddy feel about John Robichaux?

9. Is Bellocq unstable?

10. What happens to Buddy's view of the women in his life at the end of Chapter 2? Why does this happen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

"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 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?

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