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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 Pierce first drunkenly say to Pavlo?

2. What does Pavlo say he did when he read the letter?

3. What is the name of the man whose wallet Pavlo was accused of stealing?

4. After Pavlo is dressed after his suicide attempt, what does Ardell say that everyone is going to say about Pavlo?

5. According to the Corporal, what were the two Vietnamese in his story wearing, although asking for help?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the final section, Act 2, Part 5, in what ways does the playwright employ an anti-war message?

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. In what way does Pavlo try to become "a good soldier"? Explain what seems to get in the way of this endeavor.

4. How is the incident of Pavlo taking the aspirin and not waking up during the other trainees' games symbolic? How is this foreshadowing?

5. 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.

6. How is it ironic that Pavlo has joined the army in order to find his true, personal identity?

7. In the final scene, how does Wall live up to the metaphorical meaning of his name?

8. How are the depths of Pavlo's innocence defined in this scene?

9. How does Pavlo's answer Kress regarding stealing and how does this provide an insight into Pavlo's egocentric nature?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As soon understood by the audience, scenes take place in different time frames, places, and even on different planes of existence; such as Pavlo being alive or Pavlo being dead. How is this narrative structure key to appreciating the play's style? Consider the phrase "the whole is more than the sum of its parts," and sum up your findings about the style of this play using this phrase to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Pavlo's wish to become "bone" is repeated twice in this short play. Theorize on the metaphorical implications of these two moments, comparing the similarities and differences between them and finally giving explanation as to the importance of these two situations occurring for Pavlo's character.

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.

(see the answer keys)

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