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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 George Fellows' nickname?

2. What part of Henry's body is itching in this section?

3. What track do Manny and Henry drive to after work?

4. What kind of car does Mary Lou drive?

5. What country is Hector's wife from?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are the perks of Henry's new job?

3. How does Henry cure his itching crotch?

4. Why does Henry suddenly become interested in clothes in the eighth section?

5. Why does Henry find the Japanese girl attractive?

6. How does Henry break Pop's world record in the tenth section?

7. Describe Mary Lou.

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

9. Summarize the fifth section.

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

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

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

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 663 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample