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

Short Answer Questions

1. Dysart: Sleep. Just sleep....I'm going to make you ______.

2. Does Alan want to leave the hospital?

3. What does Alan say his stories were during scene 24?

4. Dysart says that having a session is better than going to _________.

5. How often did Alan ride the horses?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The horses come to Alan and tell him to never be with a woman again, a powerful part of this play's conclusion.

Part 1: Do you think Alan can maintain this promise to the horses? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think this promise is asked of Alan by the horses?

Part 3: Why does Alan blind the horses in the end? What is he symbolically trying to blind from seeing?

Essay Topic 2

Dysart views himself as someone who can save the children he works with, but this is enmeshed with the idea that he could also harm them if he wished.

Part 1: What does the dream in Act 1, Scene 5 have to say about Dysart's feelings about his role in the therapy process?

Part 2: What does Dysart do to prevent the dissection of the patients he sees?

Part 3: In the play,do you feel dissection of Alan is necessary for Dysart's work with him? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The act of blinding the horses is not only horrifying, but also confusing in relation to Alan's love of the horses.

Part 1: List at least 3 things Alan does to prove that he loves horses.

Part 2: Why do you think Alan decided to blind the horses? Explain your answer.

Part 3: How do you think Alan feels about his actions? Support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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