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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. Who is Trim?

2. How does Dr. Slop injure baby Tristram during delivery?

3. What opinion does Tristram have about time?

4. What part of baby Tristram's body is damaged during delivery?

5. Where on his body is Toby Shandy wounded?

Short Essay Questions

1. Whom does Dr. Slop blame for his injury?

2. What differing opinions do Walter Shandy and his wife have about childbirth?

3. Why does Walter Shandy decide to name his son Trismegistus?

4. Why does Tristram's mother give birth in the country?

5. Why does Obidiah ride to Dr. Slop's residence twice?

6. What distracts Walter Shandy from his ire at the end of Volume 4?

7. How is Phutatoruis injured in Volume 4?

8. With what hobby is Toby Shandy obsessed?

9. Why is Dr. Slop offended by the midwife's request to attend the birthing?

10. Describe Dr. Slop.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the use of irony in the novel. What ironies result from Uncle Toby's hobbies? What is the purpose of the ironies evident in the novel? Is irony an effective tool to change behavior?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the perception Sterne's characters have about responsibility. Which characters take responsibility for their actions and which are always denying or ignoring their responsibilities? What point might Sterne be making about responsibility and compassion?

Essay Topic 3

How does Sterne describe the roles of men and women in the novel? How does the 18th century perception of women and their roles in society affect their action and dialogue? How do the perceptions of his father and uncle affect Tristram's perception of women?

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