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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. How is Joey related to Sam?

2. What does Max want Sam to do when Joey goes upstairs?

3. What does Max describe as "one flow of stinking pus after another?"

4. What does Teddy take upstairs?

5. What complaint does Max have about his sons?

Short Essay Questions

1. "The Homecoming" takes place in an old London house where four men live. Who are these men and how are they related to each other?

2. What does Max say about his understanding of female horses?

3. Who is Jessie and what do we learn about her at the beginning of the play?

4. Lenny says he envies Teddy for what reasons?

5. When Lenny first greets his brother, why does the conversation involve a clock?

6. Explain how Sam feels about his performance at work.

7. After Lenny tells Ruth the story about a violent act he once committed, what story does he then tell Ruth about about an old woman?

8. Which characters, although not seen onstage, are mentioned frequently throughout the play, and how is each related to Max?

9. When Max comes downstairs complaining of noise, what kind of an explanation does Lenny give?

10. What evidence do we have that Max dominates his brother Sam, as well as his own sons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the character of Sam, giving several examples which exemplifies why, although he is a symbol of goodness in the play, he is so ineffective at trying to mediate when it comes to family squabbles.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Teddy's acceptance of the photograph of his grandfather. Explain when the incident takes place and give two interpretations of why the playwright might have included this incident.

Essay Topic 3

Teddy wants his family's respect, however, he fails to stand up for himself as a husband. What explanation can be given for the way he simply stands by and lets Ruth be convinced to stay with his family? What, if anything, does Teddy do to try to get Ruth to leave with him? What does this say about Teddy and Ruth's relationship? What does it say about their character?

(see the answer keys)

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