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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. Which of the following does NOT describe the people at Stofsky's party?

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

3. What does Stofsky do when the people in #52 arrive?

4. What is David organizing?

5. Stofsky begins to wonder if God could be __________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Paul's letter to someone named Liza signify for the plot?

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

3. Why are the characters unable to find any clarity or purpose to their lives?

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

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

6. Describe the scene where Stofsky goes to see Waters in his flat and is picked up by the asylum attendants.

7. What are some of the ways in which Stofsky searches for meaning in his life?

8. Why is Pasternak standing in front of Christine's house when Stofsky and Hobbes try to find him in the bars?

9. How does Paul's lack of self-awareness drive the attachments he makes in his life?

10. Who is Christine and why is she in contrast to the other characters?

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

Create a brief character study of Paul Hobbes. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him during his lifetime?

Essay Topic 3

Restlessness takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

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