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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. By the end of Act I, Part II, how does Artie act in terms of Bananas?

2. What does Bananas pretend to be when Artie fixes her breakfast?

3. What is the purpose of the Prologue in The House of Blue Leaves?

4. What does the audience become after the Prologue of The House of Blue Leaves?

5. What is Bunny carrying when Artie lets her into his apartment at the beginning of Act I?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the nuns and Ronnie rush to Corrinna when she announces she has two tickets to see the Pope at Yankee Stadium?

2. What does Artie do in the Prologue that all of the other characters will also do?

3. After learning of Corrinna's death, why does Billy not want to return to California?

4. What does Corrinna say to the audience when she arrives in Act II, Scene I, Part II?

5. How does Bunny get Billy to ask her to come to Australia with him?

6. What does Bananas' story about being on the snowy rooftop foreshadow?

7. What is Ronnie's bomb a symbol for?

8. Is Billy impressed by Ronnie's routine?

9. How does Bunny convince Artie to call his friend Billy in California?

10. What does the audience learn about the Prologue in Act I, Scene I?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a position paper on whether or not you believe Artie Shaughnessy is a sympathetic character. Be definitive in your response and support your thesis with examples and quotes from the play.

Essay Topic 2

In class discussions, the literary style of farce was discussed. Farce is evident throughout the play, heightening in certain scenes. Based on what you have learned about farce, construct a thesis discussion farce within The House of Blue Leaves, what it is, why it is used in this play, and how it functions within the play. Use examples and quotes from the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

In Act I, Part I, the audience learns that the Vietnam War is the context for the play. The Pope is going to New York to speak to the UN about the war. Artie has a son that is in Vietnam. Using information from the class discussion on the play's context, discuss in a thesis driven paper the significance of the war going on during the play. How does the war, taking place away from the play's action, still affect the play and its characters? Use specific information and quotes from the text to support your response.

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