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. How does Joe feel about those who hold him?

2. What does Joe realize about patches of skin on his neck and forehead?

3. What does the day nurse do that brings Joe pleasure?

4. What is the first question asked of Joe?

5. What is Joe's reaction to the nurse's communication?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Joe in his third year in the hospital?

2. How does Joe envision his nurses?

3. What is the response to Joe's offer and Joe's reaction?

4. What solution finally comes to Joe about keeping track of time?

5. Why does Bonham lose track of everything and what does he do?

6. What does Joe remember about New Year's Eve in Shale City and Los Angeles?

7. Why does Joe think he's in England?

8. Describe Bonnie Flannigan and what does she tell Joe?

9. Why does Joe feel a dread about time and what does he think he needs to do?

10. What obstacle does Joe see in their granting his request and what is his solution?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

For a few brief moments at the end of the book before Joe is sedated, he is able to communicate his desire to have a purpose. Discuss the following:

1. What does Joe offer to do? Is this a wise thing to suggest?

2. What is the response to Joe's offer? Why?

3. Why is having a sense of purpose so important to Joe?

4. Do you think Joe will re-think what he offers given the response and try to communicate again? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Bonham recalls much of his life, and in a sense, writes a "memoir" in his mind. One aspect of a memoir is the idea of memory. Discuss the following:

1. How accurate do you think Joe's recall is about specific incidents in his life? Explain.

2. Do you think Joe is more or less likely to remember his past considering his present situation? Explain your reasoning.

3. Does recalling his life help Joe remain self-aware? Why or why not? Why would he want to remain self aware?

Essay Topic 3

One of the images in the book is the returning to the womb of an adult. Joe often expresses a feeling of being in a womb. When he first begins assessing his situation in the hospital, he expresses the desire that his mother care for him as he saw her care for his youngest sister, Elizabeth. Discuss the following:

1. How is the image of being in a womb both a positive and negative one in the book?

2. Why do you think Joe yearns for his mother to treat him like his young sister? Do you think his mother would be willing to care for Joe?

3. Many people who are dying, especially unexpectedly or in combat, call out for "mother." Discuss why you think this is so and include examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,211 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample