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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 does Pavlo do after weapons drill that nobody else does?

3. After the Corporal and Pavlo meet, what does Pavlo say in the barracks is so important about being a good soldier?

4. After Pavlo is finally redressed, what does Ardell comment upon as the trainees leave the barrack?

5. How in the barracks during the conversation about Pavlo joining infantry did Pavlo claim his mother would react?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the playwright use both the inconsistent plot-line and paradoxical aspects of Pavlo's character traits to create an introduction that makes the audience want to watch more?

2. What character traits can be seen from Pavlo as he struggles throughout this play thus far, in his attempt to become a good soldier. Provide evidence/examples.

3. How is Pavlo's interactions and awareness of Brisbey and his plight of significance to the audience's understanding of what happens to people as a result of being involved in war?

4. 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.

5. How can an implication of mixing Christ with war be understood, considering Brisbey's reference of Christ being "nailed?"

6. Explain the nature of and reasoning behind Pavlo's lies.

7. Explain how Tower's instructions on chest wounds can be directly related to Pavlo's emotional wounds.

8. Pavlo seems to respond to events in many different ways. Explain how his response to Pierce, when Pierce urges him to fight back, can be viewed as a highly perceptive and telling one for the audience about Pavlo's life views.

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

10. How is Brisbey's talk on the depth of the ocean a metaphorical slight towards Pavlo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the early scenes Ardell is seen to be something of a guide, showing Pavlo both the way into death and the way into himself, but in one scene he becomes a manifestation or externalization of Pavlo's inner drive to be a good soldier. This is illustrated by the way he drills Pavlo on the use of his weapon, and in later scenes, he performs similar instructional functions in similar circumstances. Identify and explain other moments during which Ardell becomes an externalization of Pavlo's inner life.

Essay Topic 2

The argument could be made that Pavlo's willful and continuous acts of denial spring from a classic tragic flaw. In the same way as classical characters of potential greatness like Oedipus, Hamlet, or Macbeth are brought to destruction by flaws of character (pride, indecision, or ambition), Pavlo is conceivably a character of potential greatness deeply flawed by self-delusion. The counter to this argument is that we never actually see Pavlo's greatness, not even a glimpse of it. In fact, from the beginning, he is portrayed as both loser and lost, defining his identity through the actions and example of other people. Does this make him any less tragic, or does his death portray him as the definitive victim? Choose a side to argue and consistently refer to examples from the book to back up your argument.

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.

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