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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 game does Hendrix challenge Pavlo to when they first meet?

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

3. What does Pavlo do when he sees Pierce coming after being beaten up by the other trainees?

4. Who brings the test results to the soldiers?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. The image of the closed coffin is the final component of the play's collage, the last piece of the puzzle that once was Pavlo's life. Describe it's effects, and comment on the general purpose of the play overall.

2. In what ways are the playwright's use of the "collage effect" of creation especially poignant in this act?

3. 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?

4. What is the significance of Kress's comment about Pierce fetching him a soda while getting Pavlo a medic?

5. What could be surmised about Pavlo's thoughts from his comments to Miller about wanting to be on the front lines in Act 3, Part 2?

6. In what ways do the scenes where Pavlo displays helplessness give insight into the reasons for Pavlo's drive to become a better or "good" soldier?

7. 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?

8. 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?

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. Pavlo believes that good soldiers are never helpless in any situation. How does this belief play out and dramatize itself in his experience with the Corporal and following scenes?

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 seems to have had dysfunctional relationships with all of his family members and quite possibly his ex-girfriend with whom his mother at one point interfered, as Pavlo referred to in Act 1, Part 3. Using each family member as a starting point for each paragraph, make a hypothesis about how each of these relationships with his family members has affected his personal outlook, thus leading him to join the army for a better life.

Essay Topic 3

Rabe's anti-war message comes through loud and clear in several ways in the final scenes of the play. Find at least 5 moments during which Rabe sends his message and explain how each moment is employed to be clear and strong. Conclude by explaining what you believe might be the play's thematic warning about war in general and what it ultimately offers to humanity.

(see the answer keys)

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