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. When does Henry say he prefers sex?

2. What is Herman Barnes' role at The Times?

3. What country is Hector's wife from?

4. What does Vera call Henry for declining her?

5. How does Smithson signify that the driver must slam on his brakes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Henry's excuse for walking funny?

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

3. Why does the Yellow Cab Company sack Henry?

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

5. Summarize the eight section.

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

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

8. What does Smithson tell the men he will teach them?

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

10. How does Henry cure his itching crotch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the American dream? What does FACTOTUM say about the American dream? What is Bukowski's opinion of the American dream?

Essay Topic 2

What are the main turning points of the book? How does Bukowski develop his story to get to each turning point? What happens to the story after a major turning point?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the book's reception in three different countries including the country in which the book was written. How do their opinions about the books differ? Was the book more influential in one country than another? If so, why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 655 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample