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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. Why doesn't Arthur leave his wife?

2. Why does the narrator stop in front of the church during his walk on the last day of training?

3. What does Arthur put up with for five years?

4. Why does it take Esme so long to write her first letter to the narrator?

5. What does Sandra worry about weighing around the boy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the narrator so taken with Sister Irma?

2. Why is the narrator so taken by Esme?

3. Describe the narrator in For Esme -- with Love and Squalor.

4. How does the story, Down at the Dinghy, end?

5. Why does Lionel cry when he throws the key chain overboard?

6. Why does Sister Irma withdraw from classes at the art school?

7. Why does Bobby move the family to Paris in 1929?

8. Why does Arthur want to move to Connecticut?

9. Why does Lionel run away so often?

10. What does Arthur do for a living? How does the reader know?

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

What is the strongest theme in Nine Stories? Why does it leave such a lasting impression? Use specific examples from the book to explain your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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