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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. To where does Nick walk to visit his friend, Bill?

2. Who is Bugs?

3. What shocking event occurs this night for Nick, his father and Uncle George?

4. What does Nick's father not do?

5. What is Nick's mood?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nick deal with his injury and fear of death in the Memoir of Chapter 6?

2. What is the source of the conflict between Nick's father and one of the loggers?

3. Stylistically, what is significant about the Memoir and story of Chapter 6?

4. Explain the subject for "Big Two-Hearted River: Part I," the story for Chapter 14.

5. Why does the ending of his relationship with his nurse particularly wound Nick?

6. Why does Hemingway insert the sullen waitress at the inn?

7. What is the topic of the Memoir for Chapter 1?

8. How do Nick's war wound and recovery experience mirror Hemingway's own life?

9. Even though Nick initiated the break up with Marjorie, he is still overcome with emotion. How does Hemingway indicate this to the reader?

10. How else does Hemingway allude to another meaning of the word "blow?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story in Chapter 10, "Cat in the Rain," the cat can represent many things for the American wife. What does the cat symbolize? Why does the cat elude her before she can catch it? Why does the hotel keeper have a cat sent to her room?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the character of Nick Adams. What are his similarities to Hemingway? Do you think Nick's character was based on Hemingway himself as some believe? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Develop a character study of Agnes von Kurowsky. Why is she important to Nick? Is it because she is caring for his physical wounds? Would Nick have fallen in love with Agnes if they had met in different circumstances? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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