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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. When Spenser tells Patty that he does not want a personal relationship with her, what is her reaction?

2. In Chapter 10, Spenser says that he did not mind Patty's idea of fancy cooking; but that there was something that he did mind. What was it?

3. What does Paul ask Spenser about dinner the first night that Patty is away in New York?

4. In Chapter 3, what does the man keep calling the narrator?

5. In Chapter 7, what do Patty, Paul, and Spenser have for dinner?

Short Essay Questions

1. Based on what we read in Chapter 2, what types of personal qualities would be necessary to handle Spenser's job? Why?

2. What type of person does Paul Giacomin appear to be?

3. In the scene where Paul arrives home, Patty is entertaining a male guest, Stephen Court. How does that scene make you feel?

4. In Chapter 9, Spenser makes an impromptu dinner for himself and Paul. At the dinner table, Paul seems surprised that Spenser can cook. The discussion that follows allows the reader to learn more about Paul and his relationship with the world around him. What did you learn about Paul and how he relates to the world around him?

5. In Chapter 11, Spenser and Paul have a discussion about why Spenser did not shoot the intruders. What does Spenser tell Paul about his reluctance to shoot Buddy and Harold?

6. What does Spenser's preparation of the impromptu meal in Chapter 9 reveal about his character?

7. Do you think that it was wise for Spenser to have entered Giacomin's house the way that he did?

8. In Chapter 12 we meet Hawk. What kind of a person does Hawk appear to be?

9. What does Spenser's rescue plan for Patty and Paul along with its execution show us about yet another part of Spenser's personality?

10. What do Paul Giacomin's feelings for his parents appear to be?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Spenser is the protagonist (hero, good guy) of the story. He is a complex character with many personality aspects who makes some very tough decisions throughout the book. What makes Spenser the hero of the story, even though he makes some decisions which could be viewed as morally problematic? Use instances from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Mel Giacomin is the main antagonist (villain, bad guy) of the story. He is not a very complex character, and has very few personality aspects. Unlike Spenser, when he is faced with some tough decisions, he does not make good ones. and definitely makes some decisions which could be viewed as morally problematic. In a story rife with "bad guys" and "seedy characters", what makes Mel the antagonist of this story? Use instances from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

There is quite a bit of stereotyping used in "Early Autumn". A stereotype is the belief commonly held about certain social groups or types of individuals. For instance, the stereotypical private eye, or "gumshoe" is a tough guy who has a smart mouth, a smooth talker, and is quick-witted. He always gets the girls and drives a cool car. What are the ways that Spenser fits that stereotype? What are the ways that he does not fit into that stereotype? Use instances from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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