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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 entertainment takes place over the last hand of gin?

2. In Act 2, Scene 1, according to Fonsia, every second breath of Weller's has to be what?

3. What signs does Weller show of possibly having a heart attack?

4. How did Fonsia separate from her husband?

5. According to Weller, Fonsia makes harsh judgments. How does he feel that she's judged him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Weller mean when he says "people say exactly what the hell they mean- then they say, 'I was only kidding.'"

2. What point is Weller trying to drive home to Fonsia in his relation of the Ty Cobb story in Act 2, Scene 1?

3. What lie does Fonsia admit to making when seeking employment earlier in life?

4. In Act 2, Scene 1, are Weller's apologies sincere? What about his motive?

5. Do you think Fonsia 'fed' Weller the Jack of Hearts in Act 2, Scene 1? Explain why.

6. Given his behavior throughout the play, has Weller gone mad in Act 2, Scene 1?

7. Towards the end of Act 2, Scene 1, Weller begins talking to himself. How is this 'craziness' foreshadowed?

8. Explain the exchange of the sweater in Act 2, Scene 2. What could the exchange of the sweater represent?

9. Weller guesses that Fonsia lied to him about her son's whereabouts. What is the significance of the lie, and what other lies has she told?

10. What is the significance of the choir striking up in the last moments of the closing scene of the play? What kind of tune might they be singing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the poem 'As Leaden as the Aftermath of Wine,' by Alexander Pushkin relate to the play?

Essay Topic 2

How do Fonsia's actions and confessions in the later half of the play diverge from the facade of her character in the first half of the play?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Weller so driven to play cards? Why is winning against Fonsia so important for him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 731 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample