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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. How does the symbolic color introduced in the Prologue represent the characters in the play?

2. What will be taken away from Artie in the final moments of the play?

3. Why is Bunny angry with Artie at the end of Act I, Part II?

4. Why does the character on stage request something from offstage at the beginning of the play?

5. What is Artie eager for that he expresses to the audience in the beginning of The House of Blue Leaves?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What dream does Artie tell Bananas about in Act I, Scene I?

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

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

5. What does Artie shout offstage for?

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

7. What does the color blue mean for the characters in the play?

8. What does Bunny tell the audience was the best part of the war movie Corrinna was in?

9. Describe what Artie is doing in the play's Prologue.

10. Why is the Pope addressing the United Nations?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

Write a compare and contrast paper between Artie and Bananas. Although Bananas is outwardly mentally unstable, the audience notices the subtleties of Artie's madness as the play progresses. One character's instability is external, while the other character's instability is internal. Use specific examples and quotes from the text to show this.

(see the answer keys)

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