View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Henry use to clean the sidewalk?

2. Where does a poor clerk meet a rich girl in Henry's story?

3. What is the name of the warehouse owner?

4. What kind of car does Mary Lou drive?

5. When does Henry say he prefers sex?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Henry find attractive about Jan?

2. What is Henry's attitude at his job at the Times newspaper?

3. How do Henry and Jan start living their lives after Henry is sacked?

4. What is Henry's role in the clothing store?

5. Why does the Yellow Cab Company sack Henry?

6. Why does Henry find the Japanese girl attractive?

7. Describe Mary Lou.

8. How does Jan react to Henry's reappearance in section nine?

9. What is Janeway Smithson's role at the Yellow Cab Company?

10. Who does Henry work with at the bicycle shop?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the main themes of the story. In what way are these themes relevant to the period? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Pick two characters from the book and discuss his or her goals and motives. Do they achieve their motives? Do they share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do their goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 671 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample