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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 Bananas ask Artie about her dream at the end of Act I, Part I?

2. Ronnie's appearance at the end of Act I, Part II is an example of what?

3. Why won't Bunny agree to the condition that Artie proposes if she wants him to accompany her to see the Pope?

4. What name is Artie muttering in his sleep at the beginning of Act I?

5. When Artie rescued Bananas from the rooftop in the middle of winter, what does he say happened to their relationship?

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. Why does Billy mistake Bananas for his late wife, Georgina, when he sees her?

3. Is Artie eager for success? If so, how can you tell?

4. What does Artie's casual cruelty toward Bananas signify?

5. What is Ronnie dressed in when we first see him in Act I, Part I?

6. Why does Artie grumble about the Pope's passing through Queens?

7. What is the story the Three Nuns tell Artie when he lets them into his apartment?

8. In his story, Ronnie explains that Billy came to Queens; what was Billy doing?

9. When does Artie claim he gave up on Bananas and her sanity?

10. Why does Bunny say that until Artie met her, he was afraid of life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The blue spotlight is shown at two times during the play: the Prologue and the final scene. They both shine on Artie when he is alone and singing; however the two scenes are significantly different in their tone and and meaning. Write a thesis driven paper that gets at the heart of the difference between these two scenes and what the blue spotlight means in each of them. Essentially, what is the difference between the Artie in the Prologue and the Artie at the play's end? Use specific information and quotes from the play to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

In the final scene of The House of Blue Leaves, the Little Nun describes an orchard being a metaphor for life. What is the significance of this is relation to the rest of the characters and the play? Use specific information and quotes from the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

Artie sets the precedent in the Prologue for talking directly to the audience, which the rest of the characters do throughout the play. Nontraditional in plays until The House of Blue Leaves, discuss the significance of breaking the fourth wall and its significance to this play. Without this tactic, would the play be the same? Use specific information and quotes from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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