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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. In section thirty-two, Bukowski says that there aren't any ________ in foxholes.

2. What is the name of the woman Bukowski plans to marry in section twenty-four?

3. In section thirty-eight, Bukowski says his mother was from what country?

4. In the letter in section twenty-six, the writer says that it all begins and ends with what?

5. When Bukowski finds the woman with car trouble and takes her back to his place, what does she say her husband's name is?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the relationship between the two speakers in section twenty, and what evidence suggests it?

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

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

4. What happens in section thirty-eight when Bukowski goes home drunk?

5. Describe Lou's plan to strike it rich in section thirty-three.

6. What happens in section twenty-nine when Mary brings Eddie and the Duchess to Bukowski's place?

7. Why does the superior officer in section thirty-six finally order Stirkoff to be taken to the torture chamber?

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

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

10. Describe Bukowski's housing situation in section twenty-three.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What genre does Bukowski fit into? Do some research and define him, using stylistic examples from the text to support your paper.

Essay Topic 2

Overall, is Bukowski an optimist or a pessimist? Choose three situational examples from the text and decide whether he responds to each with the glass half-full or half-empty.

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.

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