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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Gus suggest in Memo's motel room that makes Roy so angry?

2. What advice does Memo give Roy to assuage his depression?

3. What is the reason Roy gets benched the second time (Chapter 6)?

4. Why does Roy decide Iris Lemon is not the girl he wants?

5. What does Roy tell Memo about his mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Roy Hobbs life is full of disasters, but many of which are of his own making. Should we feel sorry for him? Why or why not? Defend your answers with passages from the book.

Essay Topic 2

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 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.

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