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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, in particular, does Faye buy at the end of the story?

2. In "A Model," while posing for the South American painter, the narrator is posed on a dummy of what animal?

3. With what group of people does Rango generally live and travel?

4. How does Mandra describe her beauty in relation to Miriam's natural beauty?

5. What does Faye finally request of Albert?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jan seduce Laura at the end of this story?

2. How does the painter know Bijou is faithless at the Art Ball?

3. In "A Model," why does the narrator become a model?

4. What happens when Fay demands Albert make love to her?

5. Describe some of the narrator's first modeling jobs, including her experienced with the artists in "A Model."

6. For what reasons is the narrator and the mysterious man at the end of "A Model" drawn together, eventually becoming lovers?

7. Describe the contrasts (physical and personality-wise) between Jan and Laura.

8. Describe the scene where the painter decorates Bijou.

9. How does Rango treat Hilda after their first, failed sexual encounter?

10. What leads up to Albert finally making love to his wife?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the difference between erotica and pornography? Why is one considered to be more acceptable? How does "Little Birds" fall into the category of erotica? Do you personally agree with these assessments? Why or why not? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the use of innocence in "Little Birds" in the following format:

Part 1) The schoolgirls (and unsuspecting ladies) in "Little Birds."

Part 2) Maria in "the Maja."

Part 3) The narrator in "a Model."

Part 4) Jeannette in "Runaway."

Develop a clear thesis statement and apply it to these characters. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

One of the continuing themes of this book is to rejoice in life, no matter what is happening around you. How is this used in stories such as "the Woman on the Dunes," "Two Sisters," and "Sirocco?" What is the purpose of these characters using sex to express the joy and unhappiness in their lives? How is this seen in regards to characters who have unfulfilled sexual needs (such as Novalis in "The Maja")? How does this relate to the ephemeral nature of a sexual encounter, as seen in "the Woman on the Dunes?" Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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