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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 Cy think Riley may have done while being attacked?

2. What does Cy begin to do?

3. What is different about Cy's mom from Cy?

4. What do Cy, Jonty and Morris seek?

5. Who slices the rope?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the effect of alcohol on Riley?

2. Describe Riley's death and Cy's response.

3. How does Riley explain the colors used in tattooing?

4. Describe the type of clients that are often drawn to Riley's tattoo parlor.

5. What does Jonty say about Riley; is it likely to be true?

6. There are many instances of foreshadowing in this opening section. Name one and venture a guess as to what it could foreshadow.

7. What experience causes Cy to no longer be able to sleep under tight blankets?

8. What upsets the town council and what is Reeda's response?

9. What convinces Cy that the first part of his life has ended?

10. What marks Cy's transition from boyhood to manhood?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Part 2, "Babylon in Brooklyn," much narration is devoted to describing Coney Island. Choose one of the following and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Compare and contrast Coney Island with Cy's boyhood home, Morecambe.

2. Find all the references to Coney Island and explain the relation of this setting to two of the major themes of the book.

3. How are Coney Island and the mystique of tattoos compatible? Not compatible?

Essay Topic 2

In Part 1, "Salvaging Renaissance," the narrator states that Cy's routine always begins with the question, "Ready?" It asks endorsement of the change Cy and the client are about to effect, an oral signature that Cy will match in ink on skin. Because some customers take the opportunity to flee, Riley berates Cy to comfort customers instead. Tell a story. Tell a joke. Saying nothing is bad form. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Compare and contrast Cy's handling of clients both in this part and future parts with the way Riley handles clients.

2. Which "bedside manner" would you prefer? Do you think women would prefer Riley's approach more than Cy's? Or vice versa? What about men?

3. Should Riley be trying to distract a client from changing his or her mind? Should the client not be distracted so that s/he can make a last minute change of mind?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of themes that run as a thread throughout the novel. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Trace the development and resolution of the theme that beauty and destruction are often related. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of the existing political situation during this novel.

2. Trace the development and resolution of the theme of "working through pain." Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of the how the concept of duality manifest in character personalities and in the physical setting.

3. Trace the development of the theme of violence. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis as to why this theme is central to the novel's plot.

(see the answer keys)

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