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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. In what state does Rango generally live?

2. What is the occupation of Lena's friend who tells stories of his job and of his roommate's lustiness in "A Model?"

3. How does Albert spend his honeymoon night with Faye?

4. What does the narrator/model offer to her boyfriend in "A Model," which he refuses?

5. What is the first thing Jan draws on the ceiling for Laura?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the painter view Bijou?

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

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

5. How does Hilda change throughout the course of this story?

6. Describe Mary's life, from the story "Mandra"

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

8. Describe the relationship the narrator from "A Model" forms with Reynolds while they are in the countryside.

9. Describe Rango.

10. In "The Chanchiquito", what happens to the old lady in Laura's uncle's story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the conflicting gender dynamics of these stories in the following format:

Part 1) Virgins and their desire to have a lover.

Part 2) The violence and pushiness of certain men (such as Rango and Pierre).

Part 3) Lina.

Part 4) The characters' abilities to take control of their own sex lives.

Part 5) Pleasure at the expense of others.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Why is this book called "Little Birds?" How does the title relate to the activities in the title story of this book? How does this theme relate to other characters and situations? Why is it significant that a collection of erotic stories should choose to have this connotation? In what ways does this help to subvert the idea that this book is merely pornography? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

In what ways is innocence and curiosity seen as a sexually attractive trait in some of these stories? Compose an essay on this topic and develop a clear thesis statement. Discuss the characters who have these traits, as well as the characters who become attracted to them, and the outcomes of their relationships. Certain stories that should definitely be focused on (but not exclusively) include "Little Birds" and "Runaway." Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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