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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 the editor-in-chief talking to when the narrator goes into his office as requested?

2. What do the secretaries at the newspaper give to the narrator for his birthday?

3. What does the narrator do when the girls in the office tease him about sex?

4. Where does the girl work during the day?

5. What kind of cat does the narrator get for his birthday?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the narrator's experience like when he goes to the animal shelter to pick up his cat?

2. What do the narrator and Rosa Cabarcas discuss in phone calls the day following his first night with the girl?

3. How does the narrator describe the editor of the newspaper?

4. How does the narrator describe his writing desk?

5. What is the narrator's economic situation?

6. What was the contrast between the narrator's sex life and his regular life?

7. Why does the narrator not consummate his first visit with the girl?

8. What evidence does the narrator give of how he is aging?

9. Describe how the narrator almost married once.

10. How has the narrator supplemented his income over the years?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the meaning behind the title of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of the individual versus society as it affects both the narrative and morality of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

What is the lasting impression that "Memories of My Melancholy Whores" makes on the reader? What do you think the author's intent was in writing this novel?

(see the answer keys)

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