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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 does PIghead write to Augusten on a Post-it note in Chapter 11?

2. In Chapter 8, what does Pighead say he wishes he could change in his life?

3. At the beginning of Chapter 11, what disturbs Augusten most about Pighead's appearance?

4. What is Augusten most afraid of regarding Pighead?

5. What symptom has returned to Pighead in Chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Augusten almost relapse at the end of Chapter 9?

2. By Chapter 12, how has Augusten and Pighead's relationship changed?

3. What is the fallout from Augusten's revelation about Foster at the end of Chapter 8?

4. Describe Augusten and Pighead's interaction at the beginning of Chapter 7.

5. What do Wendy and Augusten discuss in Chapter 11?

6. How does Augusten's story end?

7. Why is Augusten's relationship with Foster a problem from the beginning?

8. How does Pighead look when Augusten sees him in Chapter 11?

9. What does Augusten realize about Foster in Chapter 7?

10. What bad news does Augusten get at the end of Chapter 10?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Augusten Burroughs' tenuous sobriety is tested by a series of hardships. From the moment he returns home, he must make choices about what he must change in his life. Write an essay about three parts of Augusten's life that prove particularly rife for temptation and how he deals with them.

Part 1) Discuss how Augusten's job in advertising is the reason he goes to rehab and how it continues to be a challenge for him after he returns. What accounts prove particularly tough for Augusten? What strange occurrences lead him to believe someone is trying to sabotage him? How does he deal with this?

Part 2) Why does Augusten have such difficulty letting Pighead into his life? Discuss what about Pighead makes him a risky acquaintance? What kind of support does Pighead give Augusten? What danger does he bring to the recovering addict?

Part 3) How is Augusten's relationship with Foster a complete violation of the rules of his recovery? What mutual danger do they bring to each other's life? Discuss how Foster's weakness hurts Augusten. What terrible kindness does he provide the protagonist after a friend's death?

Essay Topic 2

Pighead begins Dry as an estranged friend of the protagonist and ends it as a guardian angel. Write an essay about Pighead's trajectory in the novel. How did he and Augusten first meet, and why are they estranged when Augusten goes into rehab? Discuss how their relationship develops as Pighead's health declines. Why is Pighead largely responsible both for AUgusten's relapse and decision to return to rehab?

Essay Topic 3

For Augusten Burroughs, the willingness to accept the love of another person, and to give love in return, is an ambiguous choice. Indeed, there are only two individuals that Augusten lets into his heart, as it were. Write about each of these individuals. Why is it initially impossible to form a real healthy relationship? How does sexuality prove intensely destructive to both men and Augusten? Why does Augusten part ways with each?

Part 1) Pighead

Part 2) Foster

(see the answer keys)

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