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. What was Hapgood's default defense for people?

2. In prison, what did Larkin do?

3. Larkin teases Starbuck about his lack of what?

4. What did Starbuck become involved with because of Sarah?

5. What does the letter Vonnegut receives summarize?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Starbuck's release from prison mark?

2. How is "tension" a major theme in the Prologue?

3. How did Starbuck meet his wife, Ruth? Why was the beginning of their relationship rocky?

4. Why did Starbuck agree to be McCone's protégé?

5. How is "a rich man's trash can" a symbol for Starbuck?

6. After receiving the fan letter, why did Vonnegut feel he didn't need to write this or other books?

7. How did Starbuck become involved in the Watergate Scandal?

8. Is Starbuck's release from prison entering the new or returning to the old?

9. How did the Cuyahoga Massacre impact Starbuck?

10. With Sarah, is Starbuck loving or courteous?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Vonnegut discusses a fan letter in the prologue, which says "love may fail, but courtesy will prevail." Discuss how this works as a theme in the book and its angle on humanity and society in "Jailbird."

Essay Topic 2

Real historical events are what drive the story and define the characters of "Jailbird." Discuss the force of reality on this fictional story.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout "Jailbird" events foreshadow others, weaving the story together by more than plot. Discuss the use of foreshadowing in "Jailbird" and the effect on the narrative.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 733 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample