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

Short Answer Questions

1. What advice does Pop give Roy to help him get out of the slump?

2. Why can Memo not be the woman Roy needs?

3. What does Roy hope will happen to him after he agrees to throw the game?

4. Who does Roy visit when he becomes depressed?

5. What does Iris tell Roy that repels him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

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This section contains 355 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample