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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 Henry take a job in this section?

2. When is the only time Willie will allow his girls to drink?

3. How does Henry describe the man who has to show him his job at the factory?

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

5. Who does Henry claim not to like?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Summarize the fourth section.

3. How does Henry meet Gertrude?

4. How does Martha upset Henry in the second section?

5. What does Henry think of New York when he first arrives?

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

7. Why does Willie like Henry?

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

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

10. What does Henry do in El Paso?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the values of the 1940s.

1. In what ways are the characters a product of their time?

2. How does the book express the changes America was going through at the time?

3. Does modern society share any values with 1940s America?

Essay Topic 3

What does Bukowski express about liberty in his novel? In what ways are Bukowski and his career an example of American liberty?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 646 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample