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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 happens after the whistle blows?
2. What is Ardell's reason for not believing what he's seeing in Pavlo's mind?
3. Where and when does this story take place?
4. Where does Ardell say he's from?
5. What is Pavlo wearing when Ardell shouts at him to get up from under the blanket?
Short Essay Questions
1. How is Pavlo egocentric, almost childish? Explore the ways in which these traits are dramatized.
2. What key moments in Act 1, Part 4 drive the momentum and energy of the plot forward, and what feeling does that have the potential to create in the audience?
3. Theorize about what Yen might represent to Pavlo beyond the opportunity for sex.
4. Although Kress seems to be convinced that Pavlo is stupid, is this an accurate assumption? Why or why not?
5. Explain the nature of and reasoning behind Pavlo's lies.
6. Consider the graphic scenes presented in this part, and think about the word "mutilation." Employ this word to describe the deeper meanings of what is happening in these scenes. How are things, people, and ideas mutilated throughout this scene?
7. What is the significance of Kress's comment about Pierce fetching him a soda while getting Pavlo a medic?
8. What can the audience understand about Pavlo's mentality in Act 2, Part 4 when Pavlo shouts back to Ardell after being wounded that they can "hurt him as many times as they want?"
9. In what ways are the playwright's use of the "collage effect" of creation especially poignant in this act?
10. In what way does Pavlo try to become "a good soldier"? Explain what seems to get in the way of this endeavor.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
As we get to know Pavlo's character more intimately it is understood that Pavlo becomes more and more fixated on becoming a good soldier. He eventually defines this as not only a good killer but the right kind of killer and one who becomes both experienced and joyful about it.
What is the irony of Pavlo's understanding of how to go about reconciling and rectifying his fixation with his reality? Give at least four examples along with explanations of how this irony could create a dark fate for our protagonist.
Essay Topic 2
We see how both aspects to Pavlo's character, his innocence and his fear of helplessness, lead him to a re-definition of identity. Explain this is a thematically relevant aspect to his story using examples from the play.
Essay Topic 3
How does the non-existence of the "wounded twice rule" function as a metaphor for the nature of Pavlo's delusional belief system? Use examples to support your answer, specifically to back up the nature of Pavlo's delusional belief system.
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This section contains 1,951 words (approx. 7 pages at 300 words per page) |
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