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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 Joseph Conrad character does Thurber reference in this section?

2. What does James say Mrs. Robertson embraces?

3. What does Thurber fear Muggs will do when he feeds him?

4. What does Thurber say he lacks the proper perspective to do in his middle years?

5. What kind of animal does Muggs refuse to kill?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Vashti's lover leave her?

2. How does Mother respond to accusations that Muggs bites people?

3. Why does Thurber fail to graduate from university?

4. Why does Jake have to watch Grandfather?

5. Why does Thurber say he is disappointed in the West Indies?

6. How does Thurber feed the dog?

7. Why does Thurber have problems with his gymnasium class?

8. What does Thurber say about hypnotism?

9. Why does Thurber claim that even Lord Jim found it difficult to run away?

10. How does Thurber cope with the military drills?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Thurber's memoirs differ from other memoirs? How does Thurber use humor and exaggeration to still create an accurate representation of his upbringing?

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main themes of the story. In what way are these themes relevant to the period? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 3

How does Thurber use real life situations to create humor? What serious statements does Thurber make within his humor?

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