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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 does Henry say is worth seeing at Montie's cafe?

2. Where do Henry and Laura steal cigarettes from?

3. What nickname does Jan give Henry in this section?

4. What is the name of Henry's new boss?

5. What excites Henry about Jan?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Henry find attractive about Jan?

2. Describe Mary Lou.

3. Describe Henry's job at the bicycle shop.

4. How did Henry lose his favorite job working for the Red Cross?

5. How does Henry react to Mr. Adams' death?

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

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

8. Why does the Yellow Cab Company sack Henry?

9. What does Maurice tell Henry in the tenth section?

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

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

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?

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