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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 Gaylord Koffritz bore George's father, Myron, with in the Russian Baths?

2. Where is Charlie's family originally from?

3. How does Humboldt diagnose himself as a manic depressive?

4. Where does Cantabile tell Charlie to meet him with the money?

5. Who is Harold Flonzaley?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the Judge want to Charlie to post a large bail bond?

2. Charlie goes to the Russian Baths to give Cantabile his money. What is Cantabile's demeanor like when he gets out of his car to meet Charlie outside the Baths?

3. How does Denise keep up-to-date on world news to prepare for a cultural evening at the White House?

4. In what way is Scaccia, the detective, blackmailing Charlie?

5. What is Humboldt's reaction when Charlie tells him that the Chair, Ricketts, cannot give Humboldt a Poetry Chair because of budgetary reasons?

6. Why does Pierre Thaxter rush to get into Cantabile's car and forgo buying the fish knives he had set out to purchase?

7. What does Charlie think Cantabile's rank and place in the organized crime world is?

8. How does Cantabile make it clear to Charlie that he thinks he is vain?

9. When Judge Urbanovich questions Charlie about his frequent trips to Europe, what does Charlie come to realize about Chicago and the judge?

10. What is the difference between Charlie's ex-wife, Denise, and his new girlfriend, Renata?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Charlie's brother, Julius, is about to undergo heart surgery. He is seen as being very overweight and a keen businessman.

Compare Julius to Humboldt. Also compare their relationships with Charlie.

Essay Topic 2

When Charlie meets Cantabile at the Russian Baths, Cantabile intends to either hurt or humiliate Charlie. At the end of this section, Cantabile takes a different approach with Charlie.

Has Cantabile's need for Charlie's help changed his relationship with him?

What does Cantabile expect from Charlie in terms of a social relationship of any kind?

Should Charlie, in your opinion, acquiesce and help him?

Essay Topic 3

Charlie feels he must leave New York and forgo travel to Europe because his brother, Julius, is about to undergo open-heart surgery in Texas. Renata bases her refusal to accompany Charlie to Texas on the notion that she would appear as a gold-digging bimbo if she went in any role but wife.

Why is Charlie reluctant to see Renata go off to Milan on her own? What does he fear will happen?

Even though Charlie may love Renata for many reasons beyond the shallow ones, he is clearly not ready to make the matrimonial commitment. Why not?

Can Charlie have his cake with Renata and eat it too? Does he even want to?

(see the answer keys)

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