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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. While Towers is giving bayonet instruction, what does he say one must have in order to use it properly?

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

3. What is Ardell's reason for not believing what he's seeing in Pavlo's mind?

4. What is the second question to Pavlo from Ardell?

5. Who are the two characters in the furnace room when Pavlo first enters?

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

3. 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?

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

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

7. How is Pavlo made to feel helpless in Part 4?

8. Explore the ways in which Pavlo is made to feel helpless in this act. Theorize on the writer's purpose for creating these moments.

9. 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?"

10. How is Pavlo's understanding of acceptable social engagement impaired? Back up your answer with examples.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How, between Act 2, Part 3, and Part 4 is Pavlo seen to be clearly embracing his newfound identity as "a perfect soldier" with all the energy, passion, and commitment he can muster? Give at least five examples of this attitude bordering on complete delusion and hypothesize about Pavlo's fate should he continue with this attitude towards what he is being faced with daily.

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.

(see the answer keys)

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