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

2. What does Pavlo shout out at the end of Act 1, Part 4?

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

4. When the trainees are called to formation by the second whistle blow of the play , what does Pavlo do while Pierce prepares to go?

5. Along with one other soldier, who must repeat their basic training?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In this brief section of Act 2, Part 3, how is Pavlo again confronted with a vivid reminder of the destruction involved in war?

3. In what ways can Pavlo be considered a classic "tragic figure" by the time the audience reaches Act 2, Part 4? Relate him to other well-known tragic figures in literature.

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

5. How does the action unfolding in Act 2, Part 4 blur the line between delusion and reality in Pavlo's mind?

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

7. How is this scene, as well as Ardell's character, a seminaly metaphoric catalyst, displaying Pavlo's transformations and inner desires?

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. Theorize about what Yen might represent to Pavlo beyond the opportunity for sex.

10. 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?

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

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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