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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. Why is Starbuck arrested in the Epilogue?

2. Who is Clewes' wife?

3. What is Mary Kathleen still working towards?

4. Starbuck interrupts his own memories by saying "________."

5. Starbuck is forgotten in the police precinct for ________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Starbuck give the paramedics Mary Kathleen's maiden name?

2. As far as Starbuck knows, why are he and the other "saints" at Leen's apartment?

3. Does Mary Kathleen believe people are good? Why or why not?

4. How is Vonnegut invoking the senses of Starbuck's experience in his writing?

5. Why are Starbuck's reunions with Mary Kathleen and Clewes a climax of "Jailbird"?

6. Why are Starbuck, Clewes, Edel, and Ubriaco "saints" to Mary Kathleen?

7. To Mary Kathleen, why does Starbuck have a good heart?

8. How far has Leland Clewes come since Starbuck last saw him?

9. What is ironic about Mary Kathleen's death?

10. Why should Starbuck have gone to the police in Chapter 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the tool of RAMJAC and how this prominent corporation reflects Vonnegut's ideas about capitalism.

Essay Topic 2

Starbuck, even after spending years in prison, continues to commit crime. Discuss Starbuck's decisions. Why does he do what he does? What does he think will happen?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how memory affects characters. Include the significance one's memories have on the individual and the individual's actions. How do the memories of one individual affect others?

(see the answer keys)

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