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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 the teacher complain to Pimko about in regard to his students?

2. What does the narrator extol for creating mythology?

3. What is Momsen's girlfriend's name?

4. What time does the school girl agree to meet her friends for a movie?

5. Who does Kneadus choose as his second in defense during the dual?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Zuta react when Joey enters her room unannounced?

2. What is Mrs. Youngblood's reaction to Joey's age?

3. Who is Doctor Momsen?

4. Who are the Youngbloods?

5. How does the principal of Joey's school feel about Pimko's psychological style?

6. At the opening of the novel, how does Joey feel when he first wakes from sleep?

7. What bizarre dream does Joey have the night before the novel opens?

8. Who is Doctor Filidor?

9. What complaint does the teacher have when Pimko drops Joey off for his first day of school?

10. What community does the narrator claim is the stupidest community of all, and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Zuta is described as being a "modern" schoolgirl. First, describe the character of Zuta. What makes her different from the other schoolgirls in her grade? Then, explain what it means to be "modern" in Zuta's society. Is modernity something one is born with or can it be learned? Choose at least two examples of scenes from the text that you believe best exemplify and strengthen your argument and describe those scenes in this essay.

Essay Topic 2

Joey comes into contact with various members of his family as the novel progresses. First, explain why Joey's family is so broken and scattered. How has this element of his life affected Joey's level of maturity? Then, choose at least one scene in which one of Joey's family members pops up unexpectedly. How does Joey react to this surprise? How does the reintroduction of family affect the way Joey interacts with the outside world?

Essay Topic 3

Art, and writing in particular, is an theme central in the novel. What argument is the novel trying to make about structure. According to this book, what makes a good novel? What relationship should the author of the book have with its audience? How does the narrator of this novel feel about traditional form narration and how do you see that opinion reflected in the text? Choose at least two examples of scenes from the text that you believe best exemplify and strengthen your argument and describe those scenes in this essay.

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