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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. Who helps Gene in his involvement with the woman in #55?

2. Why had Christine called Paul earlier in the day?

3. Stofsky reads some of his poetry which was inspired by _________________________.

4. Why does Kathryn not want to go to David's party?

5. Gene becomes deeply involved with whom?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are Jack Waters' Existential thoughts not taken seriously?

2. How does the frantic behavior of the characters undermine their relationships with each other?

3. How does the budding romance between Pasternak and Christine begin to mirror that of Paul and Kathryn's marriage?

4. What does the conversation regarding infidelity reveal about Paul and Kathryn's marriage?

5. Why do the characters at the party revel in the excitement of it?

6. What lessons does Kathryn learn regarding her father and his death?

7. What does Chapter 2 reveal about Paul and Kathryn's marriage and the strain that Paul's hopeful writing career places on it?

8. How does Pasternak show his immaturity regarding Georgia and his still living with his parents?

9. How does the author show that Kathryn is more mature than Paul?

10. How are psychotherapy and writing compared and which seems to help the characters in the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Paul and Pasternak. What do they have in common? What are their primary differences? Why are their differences classic examples of conflict in drama? What other similarities and dissimilarities are there between the two characters?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the setting at the beginning of the novel. Does the author paint a complete picture for the reader? What, if anything, is missing?

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Paul, Kathryn, Pasternak and Stofsky. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, and socialization.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,129 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample