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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What day did the young Rosicky find out what was "the matter with him"?

2. How many countries has Rosicky lived in?

3. Rosicky complains that though he is getting to be an old man he's not what yet?

4. What kind of smile does Rosicky have?

5. How much did Rosicky pay for standing room at the opera?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rudolph tell his father after his father says that if they have plenty to eat and water to clean then they don't have it hard?

2. Rosicky tells Mary he can do some carpenter work during the winter. What does he tell Mary he will work on?

3. Why did Polly marry Rudolph and how did they know each other?

4. Why doesn't Rosicky agree to go with Rudolph to the movies when Polly suggests it to him?

5. When Doctor Burleigh tells Rosicky that he has a bad heart, what is Rosicky's excuse for feeling short of breath?

6. What were Rosicky's Saturday nights like in New York?

7. What was the worst thing Rosicky had come upon in his journey through the world?

8. Why has life gone well between Anton and Mary Rosicky?

9. Describe the Rosicky home as Mary and Anton enter it.

10. Why does Rosicky tell Polly not to telephone his "place"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the story of "Neighbor Rosicky", there is always a feeling of hopefulness and of happiness even when Rosicky tells of or ponders on harder times in his life. How does Willa Cather carry the feeling of happiness through to the reader? How is Rosicky happy even though has not enjoyed too many of the finer things in life? Has Anton Rosicky missed some of what life has to offer? Why or why not? Does Rosicky pass on his happiness? If so, how and why?

Essay Topic 2

During the opening lines of the story, "Neighbor Rosicky", we are introduced to Doctor Ed Burleigh. Describe Rosicky and Doctor Burleigh's relationship. Would you consider their relationship to be strictly a doctor and patient connection? Why or why not? How does Doctor Ed feel about Rosicky? How does Rosicky feel about Doctor Ed? What kind of dynamic does their relationship bring to the story?

Essay Topic 3

Doctor Burleigh thinks of a time when he delivered a baby for a neighbor of the Rosickys who were better off than the Rosicky family. Doctor Ed decides to go to the Rosicky household to have breakfast instead of lingering at the Marshalls' farm. Why do you think Doctor Ed made this decision? What is it about the Rosicky home that makes people feel welcome? What elements in describing the Rosicky home did Willa Cather use to make the reader feel "welcome"? What are the key elements that Anton uses to make people feel welcome in his home? What are the strengths that Mary has to help welcome her guests?

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