View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Vogel says she wrote the scenes, and Taichman made them come alive. Which scenes does she specifically mention?

2. Who co-commissioned Indecent?

3. Where does Indecent take place?

4. When was Indecent's Broadway premiere?

5. What is Sholem's response when Nakhmen says he is representing the Jewish people as prostitutes and pimps?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Paula Vogel‘s reaction when she first read The God of Vengeance while at Cornell University?

2. What does Vogel say she did when other projects came along?

3. Where and when did Indecent premiere?

4. What is done with the Torah scroll near the end of the reading of Sholem's play?

5. What do most of the men believe is the role of Jewish theater?

6. What important resources beyond the original play, trial information, and Taichman’s thesis was used to inspire Vogel?

7. What did Vogel and Taichman do that led to a first draft in two weeks?

8. Why are many of the men upset and horrified by what Yekel does with the Torah scroll?

9. When and why was The God of Vengeance put on trial?

10. Describe the language used in the play.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some characters in this play are enamored with Sholem Asch and his play. Who are these characters? What about Asch and/or his play draws such admiration from these characters? How does the reactions of others contrast this? How are these very opposite attitudes towards Asch and his play reflected in the audiences who attend the performances?

Essay Topic 2

In the Characters section of the book, it says The Dead Troupe. What might be the meaning of this? Why might the playwright have said they were dead? How is this significant? Does the shaking off of dust at the beginning of the play adequately signify the troupe is dead? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout much of the play the same sections of The God of Vengeance is performed. Why might the playwright choose to repeat the dialogue? How does this repetition affect the reader or audience member? Does the reader’s or audience member’s attitude towards the characters or the play stay the same or change as the play Indecent unfolds? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 932 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample