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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. What is the title of Arthur Less's newest book that he has just submitted to a publisher before the opening of the novel?

2. The narrator describes the octopuses at the market as being "coiled into" (55) what objects?

3. Which country is the last one on Arthur Less's itinerary?

4. Before Arthur's visit to Italy for the prize ceremony, how many times had he previously been to Italy?

5. On what day of the Mexican festival is Arthur scheduled to speak?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what purpose does Arthur accept all of the literary invitations he has received?

2. What is ironic about Arthur's acceptance of the offer to teach a course in Germany?

3. What does the grandfather clock in the opening scene symbolize?

4. What is Arthur's reaction to Carlos's suggestion that he needs to "get an edge" (6) in order to decrease his level of vulnerability?

5. What is the actual sound being made when Arthur believes the sound of thunder to be interrupting his reveries during the Italian award ceremony?

6. What other two prize ceremonies are called to Arthur's mind at the awards ceremony in Italy?

7. What does Freddy mean when he calls Arthur the bravest person he knows?

8. What is Arthur's literary agent's reaction to Arthur's latest novel?

9. What epiphany does Arthur have about heterosexual men during his search for his lost ring in the produce section?

10. What are Arthur's feelings about the works of the science fiction writer H. H. H. Mandern?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the many instances of irony within the novel's narrative and analyze the author's purpose for including each instance you discuss.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the author's message regarding recognition within the literary world.

Essay Topic 3

How does the theme of isolation function within the novel and what is the author's message regarding this theme?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 983 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample