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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. In what city does the narrative of the story take place?

2. How many stories above the street is Tom Benecke located once he is out on the ledge?

3. The ledge onto which Tom Benecke ventures is "about as wide as the length of" (20) what?

4. What is NOT a description of the types of data Tom Benecke had copied from "trade publications" (16) onto the yellow sheet of paper?

5. What is the nature of Tom Benecke's innovative idea concerning the grocery business?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why and how does Finney portray forward momentum as a negative force within business?

2. Tom Benecke realizes at the beginning of the story that the feeling he is experiencing is not heat. What is it instead?

3. In what way does the physical description of the exterior of Tom Benecke's apartment dovetail with the theme of isolation?

4. What event occurs that causes Tom Benecke to bang his head against the building wall, nearly leading to his death?

5. What article of clothing does Tom Benecke don before climbing out of his living room window?

6. Discuss details of the story suggesting that Tom Benecke knows the choice he is making to stay home is the wrong one?

7. In what way does the outside contrast with the inside throughout the story and for what purpose?

8. What is the significance of Jack Finney's choice of business field for Tom Benecke?

9. What kinds of implements does Tom Benecke consider in his quest to reach the yellow sheet of paper from his window?

10. What, if any, direct benefit does Tom Benecke believe he will receive in exchange for his idea for a new method of display?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Trace the characterization arc of Tom Benecke’s character throughout the story, focusing on Finney’s use of characterization methods and how they connect to his intended messages.

Essay Topic 2

What messages does Jack Finney's story "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" send about family bonds, and what themes does Finney employ in order to send these messages to the reader?

Essay Topic 3

Determine Jack Finney's message within "Contents of a Dead Man's Pocket" regarding the idea that a person’s entire life can be wasted in the pursuit of success in business.

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