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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. Waters raves that time is a/an __________________.

2. Paul tells Kathryn that it is _________________ for her to be attracted to someone else.

3. What is Paul's last name?

4. Stofsky finds his own poetry to be ________________.

5. What does Verger bring to Paul and Kathryn's party?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. Why are Paul and Kathryn at odds about his writing career and her job?

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. What is the real reason for Paul's irritation toward Pasternak, who is sleeping late in Paul's apartment?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 2

The theme of the search for meaning will be an important one in the novel. How does the author begin to build this theme? Give examples of the search for meaning throughout the book.

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Kathryn Hobbes. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her during her lifetime?

(see the answer keys)

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