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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 nationality is Kathryn?

2. Who arrives at Waters' apartment?

3. To whose apartment does Paul go to later that night?

4. Why is Stofsky disenchanted with his therapist lately?

5. After Gene and Christine leave the bar, Paul and Kathryn discuss ________________________.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does the party at Stofsky's apartment serve as a metaphor for?

3. What is the significance of Paul Hobbes writing a love letter at the beginning of the novel?

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

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

6. How are Paul and Kathryn at odds regarding their different emotional needs?

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

8. What is the premise of GO?

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

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

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

Holmes is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony. Briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Holmes use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

(see the answer keys)

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