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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 advice did Arthur give Gene about his novel?

2. What is Daniel's last name?

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

4. Who is Stofsky's therapist?

5. Kathryn believes that Paul is more interested in ________________ than her.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. What is an example of how the post-war search for meaning is taking on toll on people?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 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 1,030 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample