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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Valentin want to do now that he is feeling better?

2. What does Molina decide to have that morning?

3. Who is going to be followed?

4. What does the report say Molina does despite the cold weather?

5. Who does Valentin talk to at first in his delusion/vision?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the end, it seems Molina and Valentin switch their original roles in order to become better men for each other.

Part 1: Describe the character of Molina at the beginning of the story. What does he believe in?

Part 2: Describe the character of Valentin at the beginning of the story. What does he believe in?

Part 3: What does Molina believe in the end of the story? What does Valentin do at the end of the story? How have they both changed?

Essay Topic 2

The idea of gender is something that is pursued in a subtle way in this manuscript. In moving back and forth between what is "masculine" and what is "feminine," the reader begins to ask questions of his/her own definitions of these terms as well.

Part 1: What are some examples of femininity in this story?

Part 2: What are some examples of masculinity in this story?

Part 3: What does the author seem to be saying about the definition of gender as it relates to this story? Is it important? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The writing style of Puig allows readers a chance to fill in the blanks, using their own imagination. This has been seen as a weak writing style, but also a powerful writing style by critics.

Part 1: What does the lack of every detail do for the story Puig is trying to tell?

Part 2: Would the story's power be lessened by more narrative and detail? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think it matters if the blanks you fill in with your imagination are different from the blanks another reader might fill in? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 363 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample