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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 beverage do the others sip while Joe packs?

2. Joe says that Mr. Bonaparte focuses on ______________.

3. What does Mr. Bonaparte tell Joe before Joe leaves?

4. What is Mr. Bonaparte staring at as the scene ends?

5. What is the setting for Act 1, Scene 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author use this scene to showcase the dark side of the American Dream?

2. What ill-fated decision do Lorna and Joe make in an attempt to escape from the restrictions of their lives?

3. How does Joe's obnoxious behavior prompt Lorna to say she loves Moody in front of Joe?

4. How does the author use language to set up the tone of the play right from the beginning?

5. How do the sports writers, Drake and Lewis, represent the two sides of public sentiment for people who achieve wealth and the American Dream?

6. What is Joe's reaction to the violin his father bought for him?

7. Why is the news of the Chocolate Drop's death the climax of the play?

8. Contrast Frank's injuries to those that Joe has sustained in his career.

9. Explain the importance Mr. Bonaparte places on the violin he has purchased for Joe.

10. How does Joe respond to Tokio's advice to forget about Lorna?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Odet's use of symbolism and imagery in the book as related to the violin. What does the violin represent? Which characters are especially affected by the violin and what does it mean to them?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Mr. Bonaparte and Moody. Both men want influence over Joe but have their hold on him in very different ways. Why are their differences classic examples of conflict in drama? What other similarities and dissimilarities are there between the two characters?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses several instances of irony in the book. One example is the untimely deaths of Joe and Lorna who are attempting to escape to new lives. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the story and note why they are examples of irony.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,014 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample