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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 hangs the girl from the theater troupe in the noose?

2. What are the boys in the statue about to do?

3. In literature, what refers to the inherent incompatibility between the objectives of two or more characters or forces?

4. Who runs the building described where these transactions take place?

5. Whose attention does William struggle to catch at the courthouse?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrative perspective change in the courtroom scenes in the novel? What effect does this have?

2. What do the different political groups symbolize in “Islam Incorporated and the Parties of Interzone”?

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

4. What is symbolic about Carl’s appointment in “The Examination”?

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

6. How does the narrative style and plot evolve in “The Algebra of Need”?

7. Where is the Sailor in the beginning of “Coke Bugs”?

8. Why do Hauser and O’Brien pay a visit to William Lee in the novel?

9. How is the city of Interzone described?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the character of Joselito and the history of tuberculosis and its treatment. What are the principle two options for Joselito’s medical treatment in the narrative? What are the pros and cons of each form of treatment?

Essay Topic 3

Consider the place of the medical establishments in the novel, particularly in the case of Dr. Benway and Dr. Schafer. How do they compare? In what ways are Dr. Benway and Dr. Schafer different in their ideals?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 761 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample