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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 literary device does the author use when describing the sight of the big man beating up the little man over a woman outside a bar?

2. What does Waters do to Stofsky's wristwatch?

3. Waters raves that time is a/an __________________.

4. Who is Paul's wife?

5. What nationality is Kathryn?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does the aimless behavior of the characters signify in the book?

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

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

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

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

8. How does the fight between the two men over a woman serve as a metaphor for what may lie ahead for Paul and Kathryn?

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

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

The author begins the story in the present day and tells the story through some flashbacks. Why did he choose to tell his story this way? In what way is a flashback technique more interesting for a reader? In what ways is it more complicated?

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Gene Pasternak. 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

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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