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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. Why does Bump Bailey get away with ridiculing both the coach and anyone else who crosses him?

2. What does the author tell us about Roy's declaration to become the best ball player ever?

3. How did Roy obtain his special bat, Wonderboy?

4. What are Bump Bailey's two main vices?

5. Why does "The Whammer" reject Roy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the reaction of the fans when The Judge refuses to give Roy a raise. What do they do?

2. What purpose does Malamud have for repeatedly using dreams in his story? Why is he employing this technique, and what point of view is it?

3. What did Iris tell Roy in her letter, and what was his reaction to it?

4. What did Roy see immediately after he beat up The Judge and left the tower where he was?

5. Discuss Memo's reaction to Roy and how is changed over the course of this chapter (Chapter 4).

6. What problem does Pop Fisher have with his pitcher, Fowler, and how does that affect the games?

7. What did the new young pitcher for the Pirates have in common with Roy, and how was his dream different?

8. When a man comes to Roy and asks him to hit a home run for his sick child, what is Roy's reaction and what does he tell the man?

9. Malamud makes a point of mentioning that the Judge has a stuffed shark in his office. Explain the significance of the shark as related to the Judge's personality and how well it fits.

10. When Roy goes to see a fortune teller when he is in his big slump, she tells him he will meet a beautiful brunette. What is Roy's reaction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Natural is divided into two parts, Pre-Game and Batter Up! Discuss why Malamud divided the story this way. What has occurred in the fifteen years between the two parts? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the unfolding of Roy's character throughout the novel is related to the seasonal aspects of the vegetative myths from Arthurian tales.

Essay Topic 3

When Roy starts hitting for the team, his teammates wonder if he is for himself or the team. Discuss whether he is for the team or himself, or whether his allegiance changes over the course of the book. Defend your answer with passages from the book.

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