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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. At what age does Kareen remain in Joe's mind?

2. What is it that is coming for Joe as he leaves Paris?

3. In his fourth year what does Joe feel that is different?

4. What does Joe ask of God?

5. What is the first question asked of Joe?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Joe's first response to what the nurse communicates to him?

3. What does a doctor do when Joe keeps tapping and what does Joe think is the reason why?

4. What does the nurse think Joe wants at first when Joe starts tapping?

5. What does Joe say every Allied nation expects?

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

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

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

9. Describe how Joe thinks of the Christmas story his mother used to read.

10. What does the little guy waiting for the train with Joe say? How does Joe answer him? What do they do then?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joe Bonham wonders why people are so inconsiderate, and feels more like he is coming out of ether rather than hung over, and is tired of hearing that his father is dead and going home. Father can die only once, so the phone must be part of a dream.

1. Joe is lying in a VA hospital with horrific injuries. He feels like he is coming out of ether. He is. The world at the moment seems unreal to him. Explain the flashbacks and images that Joe has in his head at the beginning of the book.

2. Almost all of this book is written as flashbacks to Joe's life before he was injured. How did this narrative technique enhance the book? Given Joe's injuries, discuss any other options the author may have had to tell the story.

3. How did the fact that this book is almost entirely flashbacks affect the pace? What about the plot? How did it enhance or obscure the themes?

Essay Topic 2

It is obvious even in the first few chapters that Joe Bonham is severely injured. Later, the reader learns the extent of his injuries. Discuss one of the following:

1. What is the extent of Joe's injuries and is it realistic that he would have survived such a situation in the early part of the 20th century? Does this lack of realism make a difference in reading the book? Give examples to support your thesis.

2. Would you have preferred death over an existence such as Joe's after his injury? Why or why not? Would it be moral to end Joe's life if he makes it very clear that is his wish? Explain fully.

3. Discuss the concept of quality of life over quantity of days, using examples from the text and your personal experience.

Essay Topic 3

When a new nurse if finally able to understand that Joe is tapping out words using Morse Code, hope and joy infuse Joe. Discuss the following:

1. How does Joe finally manage to communicate with the new nurse?

2. What are Joe's reactions to communicating? Give examples.

3. Why do you think Joe offers to be a "circus" exhibit? Do you think he would eventually regret such an offer? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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