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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. Why does Chinaski not shave before the job interview?

2. What does Henry plead guilty to?

3. What is the name of Laura's street?

4. Where does Henry promise to take Gertrude?

5. What color is the cellar Henry works in?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Willie die in the fifth section?

2. How is Henry trying to develop his writing career in the fourth section?

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

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

5. How does Henry lose his job at the dog biscuit factory?

6. How does Henry anger his parents in the second section?

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

8. Summarize the second section.

9. What does Henry promise himself in the fourth section?

10. What does Carson Gentry make Henry understand about life in the fourth section?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of Bukowski's previous books and contrast it with FACTOTUM in terms of the following:

1. Style.

2. Structure.

3. Themes.

Essay Topic 2

Choose two of the following people and outline their influence on Chinaski's life:

1. His father.

2. Jan.

3. Gertrude.

4. Tim Hunter.

Essay Topic 3

Examine the construction of Bukowski's argument.

1. How does he introduce his ideas?

2. How does he construct his ideas to come to logical conclusion?

3. What weaknesses and strengths can you identify in Bukowski's argument?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 691 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample