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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 the little girl in the doctor's office in section seventeen?

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

3. How many track police attempt to subdue the angry crowd on the track in section eight?

4. During section nine Bukowski gives a quote from Reagan. What political office does he say Reagan holds at this time?

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. When his friend Kerouac speaks out against homosexuals in section five, how does Bukowski respond?

3. Describe Bukowski's concerns about revolution as discussed in section twelve.

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

5. What does Bukowski mean at the end of section five when he says, "who cares about a dead battery?"

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

7. In section one, why is Bukowski stuck in his apartment?

8. Why, according to section twelve, is Bukowski happy to be living in the age he is despite the chaos and corruption?

9. To what does Bukowski compare the smell behind the curtain in section three?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Does Bukowski mean what he says in his foreword about not caring what his audience thinks of him? Does his repeated use of Henry/Hank suggest otherwise? In a well-developed essay, argue one way or the other. Use supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 2

How does Bukowski feel about other members of his profession, and what personal qualities lead him to those opinions? Pick three of Bukowski's personal life tenets and discuss the ways in which other writers disappoint him in those areas. Include supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss Bukowski's view of death based on his comments in the book. Be sure to include quotes and other necessary supporting information.

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