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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 survives the fire?

2. How does Dude Botley view Buddy's mixture of hymns and blue?

3. Before Buddy disappeared, what happened to his band?

4. Why does Webb investigate Bellocq?

5. What does Cornish know about Nora's romantic life?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the image of scrambling over barbed wire meant to portray?

2. Is Dude Botley superstitious about hymns? How?

3. How does Buddy feel about coming back home?

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

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

6. In Chapter 2, how does Buddy act crazy?

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

8. What analogy does Buddy use to describe Webb's intervention?

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

10. What was unfortunate for Pickett in his fight with Buddy?

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

Truth in "Coming Through Slaughter" is at times obscured by characters' egos and self-perception. Discuss what impact the reader's discovery of truth plays on the experience of the book and the characters.

Essay Topic 3

The setting for Buddy's life in New Orleans is surrounded by dilapidation and depravity, although he doesn't necessarily see it this way. Discuss Buddy's evolving perception of his surroundings and what the setting adds to or reflects in the narrative.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 689 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample