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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. How does Thompson balance his frantic writing with the long periods of boredom in "November?"

2. During "August," what concerns are raised about Frank Mankiewicz on the campaign trail?

3. According to the subheading of "November," where is Thompson stoned?

4. In Thompson's account of the airplane arrangements, how do several people view being forced onto the Dakota Queen II?

5. How does Thompson describe politicians who decide to become self-aware about the theatricality of their work?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Thompson believe about the middle-class?

2. How is Thompson's honesty a trademark of his writing?

3. During the demonstration of a previous campaign, what did Thompson realize about the police officers on the scene?

4. Why did Ron Ziegler become Nixon's PR man?

5. Describe Thompson's thoughts on the Yin/Yang in regards to Nixon and McGovern.

6. Why is Thompson in such a dark mood in "October?"

7. How does Thompson relate the politics of the campaign to the partying of the personnel?

8. Why is Thompson the "rock-n-roll emissary" for politics?

9. Describe the activities of election day.

10. Why does the public find Mankowiecz so unsettling?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

According to Thompson, why is the Chinese symbolism of Yin/Yang important to the 1972 election? How does he define "yin?" How does he define "yang?" How does he apply these concepts to McGovern and Nixon? In what ways does Thompson note that this is part of the pendulum swing in American politics? How is the public support of Nixon indicative of McGovern's policies in 1972?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the difficulties faced by the Democratic party in this campaign in the following format:

Part 1) Vietnam War.

Part 2) John F. and Robert Kennedy.

Part 3) Eagleton's mental health history and resignation.

Part 4) Nixon's inner circle of people.

Part 5) The lack of unity amongst the candidates.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

How does Hunter S. Thompson feel about politicians? How do politicians generally feel about Thompson? In what way is Thompson's outsider status as a writer for the counter-culture immediately setting him up as an adversary to all politicians? How does this affect his relationship to the Muskie campaign, as well as the McGovern campaign? Why does Frank Mankiewicz attack Thompson? How does all of this figure into Thompson's later declaration that he is going to run for the Senate?

(see the answer keys)

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