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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 Teddy tell Ruth about the house?

2. Which character has been on stage all through the first scene of the play?

3. What does Teddy take upstairs?

4. When he first appears in the play, Max enters the living room and is looking for a scissor for what reason?

5. What reason does Max give for Sam having never married?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What does Lenny ask his father about the night he was conceived?

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

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

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

10. "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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The subject of prostitution comes up several times during the play. Give at least two examples and explain what larger implication this subject carries.

Essay Topic 2

Although Max is a poor example of a father, he seems to know what a father should be. Discuss some specific examples of his fathering skills and explain what proof exists in the play that he seems to understand what makes for a good father. Why do you think Max chooses to father in the way he does? Give examples from the play back up your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Max and Sam, two brothers who seem to represent totally opposite values. Include specific examples of their differences and their attitudes toward each other.

(see the answer keys)

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