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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 communication depend on in "The Failure of Syntax"?

2. What do Faust and Oedipus discuss in the Interlude?

3. What is the youngest bird unable to do at the start of "Soaring"?

4. In the Interlude, what does Oedipus think will happen if people follow Cassandra's line of thinking?

5. How does baby bird decide to punish his parents?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the birds in "Soaring" believe is their greatest accomplishment?

2. How does Edwin H. Friedman feel towards his publishers and editors and why?

3. Why does baby bird worry his parents so much?

4. How are the characters of Faust and Oedipus similar?

5. What does Oedipus argue is the best way for humans to find truth?

6. How does Edwin H. Friedman suggest people open themselves up to better communication?

7. How does the main character of "The Power of Belief" demonstrate the title?

8. Why is baby bird rebelling against his parents and how does he rebel?

9. Why does the man on the rope in "The Bridge" think the first man is being selfish?

10. What does Cassandra offer to the debate between Faust and Oedipus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of Oedipus running home to call his mother at the end of the interlude? How does this play into the idea of prophecy?

Essay Topic 2

Define the term climax and decide where the point of climax is within the plot of one of the fables. Explain how the event fits the definition of climax and site examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

How does Edwin Friedman address the theme of intimacy in his book? Choose two examples of examples and explain how these examples contribute to the theme of intimacy. Is this a reflection on society or the author's personal beliefs?

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