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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 does Julius notice is missing in Dr. Saito’s apartment in Chapter 14?

2. Where does Julius see Chinese women dancing, after seeing his accountant?

3. What does Julius say about Moji’s beauty, during the picnic in Central Park?

4. What does Julius forget to take to his appointment with his accountant in Chapter 13?

5. Who wrote the cantatas Julius had heard at Lincoln Center, before coming to visit Dr. Saito?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is it that Julius says cut him to the quick when he was talking with Dr. Maillotte over dinner?

2. Chapter 11 marks the end of “Part 1: Death is a perfection of the eye.” In what way is this title appropriate to the first 11 chapters?

3. What is Julius’ reaction to meeting Moji Kasali?

4. How does the model of New York from the 1964 World’s Fair serve as a metaphor for the book?

5. How does Julius describe the beating he suffered at the hands of the two youth?

6. What does Julius know about Dr. Saito’s relationship history, and how does he know it?

7. What experience does Julius have in Chinatown, that gives him the “disorientation and bliss” of living in his childhood self again?

8. How does Julius characterize his trip to the tailor to get clothing for his father’s funeral?

9. What does Dr. Saito tell Julius when he visits him in his illness?

10. What is Julius’ state of mind while he is reading the newspaper to Dr. Saito?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an evaluative review of Open City. What is this book’s place in our culture? Who will find this book most useful? What are its uses? What are its limitations?

Essay Topic 2

Evaluate the ending of Open City. Does it ring true to you? Does it successfully resolve the problems and tensions that preceded it? What would you change, if anything? What are you left wishing for closure on, if anything?

Essay Topic 3

Would you recommend Open City to a friend? What kind of friend would you recommend Open City to? What kind of friend would you not recommend this book to? What does this distinction tell you about the qualities of the novel itself? What does it tell you about your own critical values?

(see the answer keys)

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