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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 is the name of Henry's girlfriend in section seventeen?

2. In response to the assassination, Bukowski says HE didn't murder all BUT WHICH of the following?

3. What year does Bukowski say it is at the beginning of section eight?

4. To which show tune do Freddie and his daughter dance in section eleven?

5. In section thirteen, the narrator has a post card where a professor states that the narrator is the best poet since which of the following?

Short Essay Questions

1. In section ten, how does Moss convince Shareen to let them come over?

2. What does the narrator finally discover about dying at the end of section thirteen?

3. Describe the relationship between Freddie and his daughter in section eleven.

4. What experience does Bukowski have with the Jewish cleaners in section six?

5. At the end of section four, what does Bukowski say he said to Neal when they first met?

6. When discussing the origin of the Open City newspaper, what challenges does Bukowski say that his friend John Bryan faced?

7. At the end of section one, what explanation does Bukowski give for the fight with Elf?

8. Bukowski spends some time in the foreword detailing his thoughts about fame and reputation. Explain his sentiments.

9. Explain who saws off Jimmy Crispin's wings in section two, and why.

10. After leaving New York at the end of section six, what sentiments does Bukowski voice about the city?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the experience with J.C. suggest about Bukowski's view of God? Using supporting information from the text, write and defend a thesis explaining Bukowski's view of religion.

Essay Topic 2

Is Yevonna actually mentally troubled, or is she merely "playing possum" because she's unhappy with Bukowski/Radowski? Develop a thesis and write a persuasive essay taking one view or the other. Be sure to include supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the wealthy man, Maxfield, and Stirkoff in sections 34, 35, and 36. How are these three men similar? What are they looking for in life? Use information from the text to support your thesis.

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