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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 sets the girl from the theater troupe on fire?

2. What organization distributes bulletins spelled out in obscene charades by hebephrenics?

3. Who calls Carl Peterson in for a meeting in Chapter 18?

4. What does A.J. pose as to cover his real profession?

5. At the meeting, what does the doctor want to homosexuality as?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the point of the absurdity in “Islam Incorporated and the Parties of Interzone”?

2. How does the author broach the theme of reality versus hallucination in “The Examination”?

3. How does Dr. Schafer differ from Dr. Benway?

4. How is the Exterminator described in “The Exterminator Does a Good Job”?

5. What is symbolized through William’s description of the Island and the Zone?

6. Mary is both an observer and a participant in “A.J.’s Annual Party,” whereas the male characters are only participants. What does this say about the author’s views of female sexuality?

7. What does the boy ask the Sailor for in “Coke Bugs”? What is the response?

8. What is William’s case metaphorical of in “The County Clerk”?

9. Who are Aracknid and Andrew Keif?

10. How is the city of Interzone described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the symbolism of Bang-utot and the themes of sexuality and counterculture in the novel. How are homosexuality and homosexual acts dealt with by the author? What do you think William S. Burroughs’s statements about sexuality imply?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss and analyze the symbolism and imagery in “The Black Meat.” What does the Black Meat represent? How are the Reptiles and Mugwumps described? What do they symbolize? How do these creatures compare to one another? How do they compare to “people” in the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

The novel was the first of its kind to use graphic, sexual language. As a reader, what is the effect of the graphic descriptions of sex and violence? How would these factors contribute to the initial public reception of the book in the 1950s?

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