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

Short Answer Questions

1. What tea does Molina offer to Valentin?

2. What is the qualification that Freud applies to the infantile libido, as noted in the footnote?

3. Who does the new wife ask for help, as she feels he is the only one she can trust?

4. What does the woman say she is not, when the man tries to get her to go away with him?

5. What time does Molina want to be back in order to have dinner with his mother and aunt?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The format of this story is much different from other stories and novels. From the lack of description and narrative to the different punctuation for the dialogue, it seems the reader has to work harder in order to grasp the importance of each scene.

Part 1: Why do you think Puig decided to use the dialogue format he did?

Part 2: Why might Puig have decided to leave out the traditional narrative sections as one might see in other books?

Part 3: How did the new structure affect the way you read the book? In what ways was reading this book more challenging? Less challenging?

Essay Topic 2

The relationship between a man and a man is somewhat of a taboo in today's society, even without the idea of homosexuality. But its relevance to the story is not in its sexual tone, but in the way the men begin to learn more about each other and take care of each other.

Part 1: Do you think Valentin cares that Molina is a homosexual in the beginning? Why or why not?

Part 2: How do you think Valentin explains the sexual relationship between himself and Molina? Is he a homosexual as well?

Part 3: What does the sexual relationship that develops seem to say about relationships in general? Do circumstances create relationships more than feelings do? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The stories Molina shares seem to be without any connection to the men or to the questioning Molina is supposed to be doing.

Part 1: What is the story that seems to relate most to Molina and Valentin? Why?

Part 2: Why do you think Molina chooses to tell these stories to Valentin instead of directly asking questions?

Part 3: Choose one story, describe it, and then discuss why Molina might have chosen to tell that story at the time.

(see the answer keys)

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