View a FREE sample

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 Bukowski's boss in section twenty-one?

2. What is the name of the stripper in section thirty-seven?

3. What is the name of the young black girl Bukowski likes in section thirty-one?

4. As section twenty-two opens, what relative of Henry's has died?

5. In section twenty-six, what is the name of the friend who teaches poetry at an insane asylum?

Short Essay Questions

1. In section twenty-four, describe the relationship between Bukowski and his wife.

2. What revelation is given about Bukowski and Henry at the end of section twenty-two?

3. Describe how Bukowski earns $50 in section thirty-four.

4. What is the letter Bukowski relates in section twenty-six?

5. Describe what happens when Bukowski picks up the young prostitute and her lesbian manager in section twenty-five.

6. Describe how Hank finally gets rid of William in section twenty-seven.

7. Describe Bukowski's relationship with Renie in section thirty-seven.

8. What goes wrong with the plan to strike it rich in section thirty-three?

9. Describe the conflict between Elsie and the cabbie in section thirty-one.

10. Describe Bukowski's experience in the tough bar in section twenty-one.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

In what ways is Bukowski perfectly suited to his column? Could he write it for a more traditional newspaper? In a well-developed essay, analyze three characteristics of Bukowski's personality that make this column the perfect outlet for him.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 843 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample