View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. For what reason does Tom Benecke put his shoe back on after it fails to shatter the window?

2. Tom Benecke is described as being "past awareness" (30) of pain in what part of his body?

3. What does Tom Benecke realize that Clare Benecke has always had to do whenever she has wanted the living room window opened?

4. In what city does Tom Bennecke live?

5. After the window closes with Tom Benecke outside, what position does he assume?

Short Essay Questions

1. What objects does Tom Benecke use in an attempt to break the window?

2. How is the motif of the carnivalesque apparent within Tom Benecke's image of what he will do when he regains access to his apartment?

3. When Tom Benecke finally looks down, what does he see?

4. For what reasons does Tom Benecke finally decide that he cannot possibly wait on the ledge until Clare Benecke returns home?

5. Imagining what scene causes Tom Benecke to lose his feelings of calm as he looks through his apartment window?

6. What is Finney's purpose for allowing Tom Benecke's shouts for help to go unanswered?

7. What is the setting of the story and how does it affect the story's mood?

8. For what reason will Clare Benecke be unable to help Tom Benecke herself when she arrives home?

9. What features of the building does Tom Benecke use as finger-holds during his venture?

10. In what position does Tom Benecke end up when the window closes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a critical essay about "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the story's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the story.

Essay Topic 2

How is the topic of regret treated within "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket," and how does its treatment relate to the story's depicted messages?

Essay Topic 3

Research the 1950s in relation to the business world and create a claim linking the historical context of the story "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" with one of its main messages.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,011 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample