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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 is the name of Henry's landlady in this section?

2. Where does Henry go once he has money?

3. Where does the blond woman take Henry to after the bar?

4. How does Henry say Gertrude's eyes make him feel?

5. What does Henry say the bar nearest to his apartment smells like?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Henry's first job in New York?

2. Why does Willie like Henry?

3. What is Willie's relationship with the three girls?

4. How does a relationship develop between Henry and Gertrude?

5. How does Billy-Boy help Henry in the third section?

6. What bet does Henry make in the opening chapter?

7. Why does Henry decide it is time to go back to Los Angeles?

8. Describe Henry's job in the ladies dress shop.

9. Summarize the second section.

10. How does Henry meet Gertrude?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the American dream? What does FACTOTUM say about the American dream? What is Bukowski's opinion of the American dream?

Essay Topic 2

How does Bukowski represent alcoholism in his novel? How does Chinaski's habit affect his daily life? What kind of person would Chinaski have been without the alcoholism?

Essay Topic 3

What is Henry's attitude towards work? Why has Henry has developed this attitude? What kind of job would Henry enjoy and excel at?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 662 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample