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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. According to Childan, what is special about some of the people his shop gives him the opportunity to meet?

2. How would you describe the feelings attached to Juliana's and Joe's memories of "living under the Nazis"?

3. In Chapter 3, what do we learn about how Juliana Frink makes her living?

4. What best describes the territory of the Rocky Mountain States?

5. As Chapter 2 opens, what is Tagomi consulting the I Ching about?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 1, the author introduces the characters of Mr. Tagomi and the Kasouras as clients of Childan through the juxtaposition of conversations he has with each. What do we learn about each as a result? How do these clients compare?

2. Wyndam-Matson and his girlfriend get into a long discussion about historicity. What is historicity? What point does Wyndam-Matson make about it? How is this idea supported in the novel?

3. Compare the reactions of Childan, Calvin and Wyndam-Matson to the discovery of the fake guns. What point does the author seem to be making about the business world as he sees it?

4. The voice of the radio quotes from The Bible, "What profit it a man if he gain the whole world but in this enterprise lose his soul?" How does this apply to what we have witnessed of this world in Chapter 1?

5. When told by the university that "there is a regular industry turning out these fakes," Childan gets angry and insists that this is only a rumor. Why is he in such denial even when the proof lies before him?

6. What is Childan's plan when he makes an appointment with his supplier, Ray Calvin? What does this further reveal about his character? Do you feel this is a realistic reaction?

7. What is the source of the conflict Frank faces over his reading of the I Ching? How does he finally interpret this message? What does he decide as a result?

8. Chapter 1 introduces the setting of the novel as being in San Francisco twenty years after World War II. What signs are there that there has been a different outcome to this war from the history as we know it?

9. While consulting the I Ching, Frank thinks of how "his life was bound up with all other lives and particles in the universe." What does this mean? How might it be applied to Chapter 1 and serve as foreshadowing for the rest of the novel?

10. What do we learn about Hawthorne Abendsen, the author of The Grasshopper Lies Heavy? How does Juliana feel about this novel as compared to Joe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During his dinner date at the Kasouras, Childan thinks, "The universe will never be extinguished because just when the darkness begins to smother all...the new seeds of light are reborn in the very depths." What does this quote mean? Explain how it applies, not only to the Kasouras, but to the overall novel as well.

Essay Topic 2

The early 1960s, the time period this novel was both written and set in, was a predominantly male-oriented society where the female was often considered weak and inferior. In what way does Philip Dick's novel support this attitude? In what way has it broken from the stereotype? What do you feel is his message about gender stereotyping? Give examples to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Towards the end of the novel the author points out the pessimistic attitude of Wegener and the optimistic conclusions of Juliana regarding the future of the world. Compare their specific viewpoints. How might their life situations reflect their particular views? In your opinion, who is more realistic about the world in which they live? Provide specific evidence from the novel to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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