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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 time of year is the story, Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut, set?

2. Who dies of cancer and weighs just 62 pounds in the story, Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut?

3. What does Seymour want to hunt for in the water with Sybil?

4. Ginnie dreams that a servant gives _____ out instead of tomato juice at dinner.

5. Who is Lew?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens with Seymour and the trees?

2. Why is Mary Jane part of the story, Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut?

3. Why is the reader uncertain whether Seymour is going to shoot himself, Muriel or both when he grabs the pistol out of the suitcase?

4. Who is the Laughing Man?

5. What is wrong physically with Ramona?

6. What does the floating red tissue represent in The Laughing Man?

7. Why can the reader sympathize with Eloise more than envy her?

8. Why doesn't the narrator list all of the Chief's attributes?

9. Why is the setting appropriate for the story, Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut?

10. What makes the reader think that perhaps Eric is not allowed into the military because he is homosexual?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast your favorite story from Nine Stories to your least favorite story. Explain what you like and dislike from each story. Use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Coming of Age is a theme seen in a few of the stories, including The Laughing Man. Explore and discuss the theme and why it is used is more than one story. How is it used? Why does Salinger use a Coming of Age theme in several stories? How can any reader relate to this theme, especially your age group?

Essay Topic 3

In For Esme - With Love and Squalor, a young girl becomes a powerful leader in recovery for the narrator. Why is Esme able to be so helpful to a solider that is so adversely affected by the war? What simple acts help him most? Why isn't his family able to help as much as Esme? How does a 13-year-old that he meets one time leave such a lasting impression?

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