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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 headlines in the newspaper catches Sam's attention?

2. What event causes Memo to view Roy more favorably and go for a ride with him?

3. What happens when Roy meets Gus?

4. What does Roy and Memo think they need for happiness?

5. Who is the coach of the Brooklyn Knights when Roy Hobbs signs on?

Short Essay Questions

1. What event happens to cause Roy to get out of his slump (more than hitting a home run).

2. What does Roy decide to do to change his luck and get out of the great slump he is in?

3. 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?

4. What was Roy's reaction when the young newspaper boy asked him if the headlines were true?

5. How does Roy feel about Iris after he meets her in person. Why does he feel this way?

6. What does Roy do in the night after they lose the pennant game?

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

8. Explain how Roy feels about Memo, Bump's girlfriend.

9. Explain the term "fair weather fan" and how the term relates to the novel.

10. What does The Judge do when Roy asks him for a raise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many themes developed in this novel. Discuss one of them and show how they are developed through the novel. Explain what Malamud is trying to tell the reader about that theme.

Essay Topic 2

There are several issues related to responsibility and moral integrity that Roy must face. Discuss them fully, supporting your ideas from the text.

Essay Topic 3

There is a tremendous amount of symbolism in Malamud's novel. Discuss two forms of symbolism and show how they develop the theme over the course of the novel. Answer the question of why Malamud might have chosen that symbol over other possible ones and whether he was effective in developing the theme. Give examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 896 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample