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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. How does Pavlo first respond to the army recruits?

2. When Pavlo asks how the man in the Corporal's story "knew," what was the Corporal's answer?

3. What do the trainees accuse Pavlo of when he arrives in the barracks ,

4. Who does Pavlo yell at to get off his bed?

5. In the furnace room, what does Kress say to Parker about Pavlo?

Short Essay Questions

1. After some prompting from Ardell in the final Act, Pavlo shouts repeatedly that it's all shit. His shouts eventually become a scream of rage and frustration. What can we say Ardell represents throughout this play for Pavlo, as well as for the audience?

2. Although Kress seems to be convinced that Pavlo is stupid, is this an accurate assumption? Why or why not?

3. Compare and explain the relationship of Pavlo's enthusiasm for killing and what happens to Parham in Act 2, Part 4.

4. In this scene, Pavlo seems unable to do anything for himself and is guided by the other characters' help to get dressed and go through the motions of what he is "supposed" to do. What similarities can be found between this external dressing of Pavlo and running thematic points throughout the play in general?

5. 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?"

6. Using the fragmentary nature of the plot line thus far as a platform, describe the impression it has on the way by which the audience will begin to learn about the main character.

7. Theorize about the significance of the story Pavlo relates of the girl who seemed like a "robot."

8. Tower mentions the North Star more than a few times throughout the play, and finally in Act 2, Part 4. Up until this point, what are the possible meanings of these references to the North Star?

9. What may be the significance or playwright's purpose for Pavlo realizing he's dead so far along into the play and after the climax?

10. Theorize as to Parham's purpose in the play besides being another wounded soldier/dead body for Pavlo to save in Act 2, Part 3.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How are the play's three central elements - style, character, and theme - introduced vividly and succinctly in the opening scenes of this play? Conversely, what form of plot has Rabe employed, and what effect does it have on the audience? Use examples from the book to explain your thoughts, giving a clear outline of the chosen style of plot line.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In Act 2, Part 3, Pavlo is again confronted with a vivid reminder of how destructive war is. The juxtaposition here, between his enthusiasm for killing and the violence he encounters, in terms of what happens to Parham and what happens to him dramatizes even more vividly the discrepancy between what he wants to see and the reality in front of him. In what ways does Pavlo deal with this discrepancy? Would you say it is healthy? Why or why not? Support your thoughts with examples.

(see the answer keys)

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