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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 word does the narrator use to describe the number of "other young men in his company" (18)?

2. To what location had Tom Benecke carried the yellow piece of paper during "a dozen lunch hours and early evenings" (16)?

3. What verb is used to indicate the way in which the "projecting wall" (25) interacts with Tom Benecke as he moves toward it?

4. In what city do the Benneckes live?

5. What does Tom Benecke feel on his face when he ducks his head under the window and looks outside?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. For what reason does Tom Benecke feel that he needs to finish his work project quickly?

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

4. What types of information are written upon the yellow sheet of paper?

5. Describe the miscalculations Tom Benecke makes when he is preparing to go outside.

6. How is irony present within Tom Benecke's feeling about the idea of abandoning the yellow sheet of paper?

7. Describe the character of Tom Benecke.

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the function of Clare’s character within "Contents of a Dead Man's Pocket"? Discuss the characterization methods used by Finney in depicting Clare and include in your discussion of the reasons that Finney portrays Clare in these particular ways.

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about Jack Finney's story "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the story's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the story.

Essay Topic 3

Look carefully at the passages of the story that describe the relationship between Tom and Clare Benecke. What is Finney’s purpose for portraying the relationship in the manner that he does?

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