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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. After Max recovers from his collapse, what does he ask Ruth?

2. After the conversation with Ruth in which he asks her to go home with him, what does Teddy do?

3. Just before the end of Act Two, Scene 1, What does Teddy give a long speech about?

4. After questioning Teddy , what does Max say about Ruth?

5. In the conversation after lunch, what happens when Teddy can't answer the question Lenny asks him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What similarity is there between Teddy and Ruth's family and Max and Jessie's family?

2. As Act Two opens, what positive and negative comments does Max make about his late wife?

3. Act One, scene 3 begins the morning after Teddy and Ruth have arrived; what characters have not yet met Ruth?

4. When Teddy and Ruth come downstairs and surprise Max, what is the first thing he wants to know?

5. In what ways does Max compare his father with Sam?

6. For what does Max criticize Sam when Sam is in the kitchen?

7. What comparison does Ruth make when referring to the relationship between words and actions?

8. According to Max, what did his father ask him to do when he was dying?

9. What does Teddy tell Max about his family life with Ruth?

10. By the end of the first act, which characters has Max not physically or verbally abused?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Max shows disappointment with his sons. Discuss how Max demonstrates this disappointment, giving specific examples for Lenny, Joey, and Teddy. For what reasons do you think that Max is so clearly disappointed with each of his sons? Comment on whether you think his disappointment in any of his sons is warranted and explain why or why not.

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 Ruth and Jessie, particularly in respect to Max's varying attitude toward each woman.

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