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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Roy feel when the fans began to cheer him on after he gets out of the slump?

2. What is Roy's reaction when The Judge shows up in his motel room?

3. What happens when Roy sneaks out of the hospital and does some practice batting?

4. What does Roy think he will gain when he becomes the best player ever and gets Memo?

5. What does Max Mercy do to Roy that angers him so much?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Malamud wrote, "Sometimes as he watched the ball soar, it seemed to him all circles, and he was mystified at his devotion to hacking at it, for he had never really liked the sight of a circle. They got you nowhere but back to the place where you were to begin with." Discuss ways in which Roy travels in a circle, going nowhere but coming back to where he started from. Give examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Roy agrees to the Judge's crooked proposition to "sell out." What are his motives? Who, or what, is Hobbs selling out for? What are his reasons for selling out? Give examples from the book to defend your views.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss The Natural as a novel of magical realism. Magical realism is when a realistic novel contains issues that are stranger than life, unreal, or appearing magical. What purpose do instances of magical realism appear to serve in this novel? Give examples from the novel.

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This section contains 380 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample