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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. Who is knocking at the door when Bukowski wakes up after the card game fight?

2. As section fourteen opens, what is the woman at the door selling?

3. According to Bukowski's foreword, what are the chances that an accepted poem might be published?

4. As section one opens, what friend is Bukowski sitting with?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Bukowski react when his favorite fighter loses to Balanos in section seven?

3. During the discussion of John Bryan, what reason does Bukowski give for Bryan's termination from the Herald-Examiner?

4. Describe Henry's ailment in section seventeen.

5. Describe what letter Bukowski finds in his mailbox when he arrives home at the end of section three.

6. Explain what Neal is doing when Bukowski meets him in section four.

7. In section thirteen, what conclusions does the narrator draw about the life he's led?

8. According to Bukowski, why does the crowd continue to bet on the races after the riot on the field in section eight?

9. What begins the major argument between Bukowski and L in section fifteen?

10. How does Henry respond to his ailment in section seventeen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is Bukowski simply unlucky with women, or is he purposely unlucky? Develop a thesis arguing whether his repeated relationship failures are pure mishap or if he plans them that way. Include supporting information from the text.

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

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.

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