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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 go to try and get a reporting job?

2. What music does Henry listen to in this chapter?

3. What does Laura like to cook when they can afford it?

4. What part of Henry's body does Endicot bite?

5. Where does Henry say he first realized he was an idiot?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Henry lose his job at the auto brakes company?

2. Summarize the fifth section.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author wrote FACTOTUM in the first person. Why do you think the author chose to write the story in the first person? How do you think the meaning of the story would change if the author wrote it in the third person?

Essay Topic 2

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?

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