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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 does Lenny want Max to tell him?

2. Where did the deed to the house come from?

3. After addressing Lenny's concern about not being able to sleep, who does Teddy ask Lenny about?

4. What does Teddy take upstairs?

5. What occupation does Lenny tell Ruth he's always imagined for himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Teddy arrives at his family's home, what does he find unchanged?

2. Throughout the play, Max verbally abuses his son Joey; give an example of this verbal abuse.

3. Describe Max's attitude toward his brother Sam.

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

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

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

7. During the argument over the glass of water, what does Ruth dare Lenny to do?

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

9. What conflicting information does Max give about MacGregor (his father)?

10. Lenny says he envies Teddy for what reasons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the ending of the play in terms of what it means for Max, for Ruth, and for the future of each of the characters in the play.

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