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

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens to Roy's bat, Wonderboy, during the last game of the season?

2. What does Roy do when Iris rejects him?

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

4. When Roy visits a fortune teller, what does she tell him?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much of The Natural is based on mythology, particular Arthurian mythology. Choose a myth you are familiar with and compare it to The Natural. Be sure to address the idea of theme is both the myth and The Natural.

Essay Topic 2

Heroism is a recurring theme throughout the novel. We are never given a direct definition of a hero, but are shown what one is and isn't, mostly what one isn't. Using the examples from the book, write a detailed definition of hero as Malamud might have written it. Include examples from the book to support your definition. After defining how Malamud might define a hero, briefly discuss how you would define it. How does it compare/contrast with Malamud's views?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 352 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample