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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. How old is the main character in 1928?

2. What does the Chief drive?

3. Who is getting married soon in the story, Just Before the War with the Eskimos?

4. Eloise thinks that if you are going to be a nun, you should at least______?

5. Who graduates from college first, Mary Jane or Eloise?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why is the Chief so important to the boys?

4. What is wrong physically with Ramona?

5. What clues is the reader given that Franklin is bitter about Joan?

6. How does the reader know the setting takes place shortly after the end of World War II?

7. Why aren't there any men 'seen' in the story, Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut?

8. What is Seymour hospitalized for?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

New York and Connecticut are widely used throughout the book. What generalizations can be made about each city after having read Nine Stories? Do you want to go to either place? Do you live in either place? Does the story collection make you want to visit either place? Use examples from the book to explain your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Why is Eloise so consumed by her daughter's imaginary friends in the story, Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut? Why is she so eager for the imaginary friends to go away? Why are both imaginary friends male? Does that affect Eloise's hatred of them? Use examples from the story to explain your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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