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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Where does Valentin say that Molina will arrange for the others to meet them?

3. "How could you leave then, when love was __________!"

4. What does Molina want to suggest to Valentin to help get him to open up?

5. "You stole away ___________, that I held in my heart, for you?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Women do not seem to play a large role in the story, being relegated only to the maternal role and to the person Valentin continues his fight for.

Part 1: Who are the female characters in this story? What is their relationship to the main characters of the dialogue?

Part 2: Do the female characters seem stronger or weaker than the male characters? Why did you choose the answer you did?

Part 3: What does Puig seem to be saying about the female gender?

Essay Topic 2

The idea of telling stories seems to be used as an escapist technique, not just for the reader, but also for the characters.

Part 1: Why does Molina like to tell the stories as told to Valentin and to himself?

Part 2: What might Molina be escaping from as he tells the stories? What might Valentin escape from?

Part 3: What is the value of escapism? What does it provide to those who seek it out? How can it hurt the seekers of escapism?

Essay Topic 3

At times, the reader does not know if the writing and the narration is true or a vision from the character. This fantasy-like tone makes the story one that may not be as complete as it seems.

Part 1: Cite two examples in which the narration of the story becomes unclear as to whether it is real or if it is just a dream/vision.

Part 2: What do these examples seem to tell us about the idea of reality and fantasy?

Part 3: If these examples are not based in reality, does this weaken the story? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 380 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample