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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the only person that Roy thinks really cares about him?

2. What does Roy need that only Iris seems to understand?

3. What is Roy's great fear that drives all his motives?

4. What happens to the relationship between Memo and Roy during his slump?

5. What does Iris tell Roy he must do to be a true hero?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Malamud paints the ballplayers as "larger than life" in the novel. Discuss passages in the book where the reader can see ballplayers rendered in a majestic, larger-than-life, or deity-like manner.

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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This section contains 327 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample