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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. When he first arrives home, what does Teddy find out about his room?

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

3. What does Lenny ask Ruth to do?

4. What does Max tell Lenny to stop?

5. How is Joey related to Sam?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Lenny say he is angry at Ruth for calling him by his full name, Leonard?

3. "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?

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

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

6. Max threatens violence toward his son Lenny at different points in the play; give one example.

7. Just after they arrive at the house, what does Teddy reassure Ruth about?

8. What story Lenny tells Ruth after he has asked to hold her hand?

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

10. What does Max mean when he uses the phrase "one flow of stinking pus after another?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the importance of foreshadowing in the play, giving several examples of how the technique is used effectively.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the relationship between Teddy and Ruth. Explain what evidence exists which shows care and concern on the part of either or both characters. Discuss the conflicts evident in their marriage and the consequence of those conflicts.

Essay Topic 3

Max refers to generations of his family as being "one flow of stinking pus after another." Explain how the characters in "The Homecoming" are part of the circle of violence which has affected three different generations of Max's family. Give specific examples; include at least three characters in your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 573 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample