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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. Who does Silverman blame for the Jewish underground prostitution ring?

2. The judge says that, although theatre is not what, it should still reflect the moral values of the American people?

3. In the love scene between Manke and Rifkele, what does Dorothee do, regarding the newly-cast Virginia?

4. How does O’Neill feel about Asch giving up the theatre?

5. As the troupe sings a song that ends with a kickline, they begin dressed as what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the rain scene cut from the Broadway script?

2. Who bails the cast out of jail?

3. What is the role of Benjamin Baillie?

4. What are Freida's and Elsa's responses regarding being Jewish?

5. In Sholem Asch Shows Lemml America, what does the troupe do, as an ensemble?

6. What do Madje and Sholem decide is best for his health?

7. How do both Madje and Sholem feel about his trip abroad to learn more about the pogroms?

8. What takes place in the play within the play in Beginning of Act Three?

9. What is Rabbi Silverman's beliefs regarding the underground Jewish prostitution ring?

10. What does Madje ask Sholem in this section about why the authorities might stop the show?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sholem refuses, at the end of the play, to grant John Rosen’s request. What is his request? Why does Sholem deny him? What does this reveal about Sholem? How does Rosen respond to Sholem’s denial? What does this reveal about him? How might this also be a reflection of young Sholem vs old Sholem?

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

In the preface Paula Vogel explains what led to her collaboration with Rebecca Taichman. What does she say about this collaboration? Why does she believe this was a collaboration of a lifetime? How does the information in the preface regarding this collaboration prepare the reader for the play ahead? What other information from the preface is important for the reader prior to reading the play?

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