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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 Ronnie emerges from his room after everyone leaves, what is he carrying?

2. What will all of the characters do throughout the play that Artie does in the Prologue?

3. What does Bananas think will happen if she does what Artie asks her to do?

4. What does Bunny claim that Artie was afraid of until he met her?

5. What does Bunny call Artie's songs in order to cheer him up?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the blue spotlight characterize Artie in the Prologue?

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

3. What act does Ronnie's desire to use the bomb foreshadow?

4. What does the audience learn about in Act II, Scene I, Part I that links all of the characters together in the play?

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

6. How is the truth about what the color blue means revealed in Act I, Part II?

7. What is another significant symbol introduced in Act I, Scene I?

8. What sign of gentleness toward Bananas does Artie have in Act I, Part II?

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

10. What does the color blue function as in the Prologue?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dreams appear numerous times in The House of Blue Leaves, either from Artie or Bananas. Discuss some of these two characters' dreams and why they are in the play. What is their significance? What do they reveal about the characters to the audience? Are they necessary to the play's narrative? Cite specific information and quotes from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Ronnie's character in The House of Blue Leaves is neither prominent nor fully understood. Aside from Act II, Scene I, Part I, his voice is not heard; therefore his thoughts are not known. However, much can be deduced from the few times we see Ronnie. In a thesis driven paper, discuss Ronnie's character and his significance to the play. Use specific 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.

(see the answer keys)

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