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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. Where do Romeo and Trini meet in Scene 6?

2. How did Severo Alacran's family die?

3. How does Rio present herself in Scene 3?

4. How does Perlita help Joey in Scene 10?

5. Who do Rio and Pucha gossip about in Scene 9?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the speech that Avila delivers in Scene 7.

2. Who is golfing in Scene 12?

3. What do Nestor and Barbara say about Philippines history in Scene 2?

4. Why does Rio Gonzaga return to Manila in Scene 3?

5. What role does a real historical figure play in Scene 10?

6. Who do Nestor and Barbara introduce in Scene 2?

7. Describe the montage of Scene 15.

8. How does Pucha treat the waiter in Scene 9?

9. At the beginning of Scene 10, what do Perlita and Chiquiting gossip about?

10. In Scene 9, how does Rio's story about her grandmother reflect the changing Manila?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The ruling class of the Philippines in Dogeaters is portrayed as profoundly perverse in its world view. Write an essay about how General Ledesma represents this perversion? How is his entire being in the early scenes a form of deception? What truth do his interactions with both Lolita Luna and Daisy Avila represent about power-holders in a dictatorship?

Essay Topic 2

Dogeaters does not have a clearly defines single protagonists, only characters that are points of entry for audience sympathies. Three characters undergo significant arcs and could serve the role of protagonist. In an essay, discuss the arc of each. What normal existence does each character have at the beginning? How do the events of the play shatter this normalcy? Where does this character end the play? What is his or her catharsis?

Part 1) Joey Sands

Part 2) Daisy Avila

Part 3) Rio

Essay Topic 3

The narrative of Dogeaters is based on actual historical events that took place in Manila, but Jessica Hagedorn intermingles fiction and fact in the play. Write an essay about this intermingling. What elements of the play - characters, settings, events - are factual, and what is dramatic invention? How do the fictional elements serve the historical truth Hagedorn is trying to impart?

(see the answer keys)

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