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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 does Gary's truck end up as the police are trying to take him into custody?

2. What does Gary steal in response to his problems with the truck dealership?

3. What color is the pickup truck that Gary desires?

4. What is the name of the guy that Nicole really likes, even though she is married to her first husband?

5. What is the profession of Grace McGinnis?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character of Peter Galovan, a character who emerges in Book 1, Part 3.

2. Why is Gary's case the case of a lifetime for Esplin and Snyder?

3. What is the biggest obstacle for the lawyers who are trying to defend Gary in his murder charges?

4. What does Peter see that causes him to talk to Ida about his findings?

5. Why is Nicole taken off of Gary's visiting list at the prison, although she is eventually reinstated?

6. What happens when Gary and Nicole try to consummate their new relationship?

7. What does Gary make April tell Brenda after the two spend the night together at the Holiday Inn?

8. Why do Nicole's other lovers become a bit unnerved by her and by her situation?

9. What do people have to say about Gary's talents as an artist?

10. What does Nicole pride herself on at the time when she meets Gary?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The trick with the character of Gary is that he seems to be someone you can both hate and understand. This can cause the reader to not know what to think.

Part 1: Cite at least two examples of things which may be considered admirable in Gary.

Part 2: Cite at least two examples of things which may be considered detestable in Gary.

Part 3: Do you think Gary is a good person or a bad person? What were your reactions to him in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Gary seems to use violence as a reaction to things he can not control in his life. This causes disastrous consequences for all involved.

Part 1: Describe two situations in which Gary uses violence when he is frustrated.

Part 2: Does it seem that Gary really wants to be violent? Why or why not?

Part 3: Why might Gary think violence is the only way to handle his feelings?

Essay Topic 3

The presence of sex in this story seems to be truly 'sex' rather than the idea of making love.

Part 1: Why does Nicole use sex during this story? What does it seem to provide for her?

Part 2: How does Gary use sex in this story? What does he seem to get in return?

Part 3: What does the author seem to be saying about sex and its relationship to violence?

(see the answer keys)

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