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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What does Pavlo claim Kress did while in the middle of a fight with him?
2. How is Pavlo brought into the bar for the final time?
3. Who is singing in the background in the middle of Act 2, Part 4?
4. When Pavlo first calls Joanna, what does he talk about?
5. How many times does Pavlo shoot the Vietnamese man?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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 2
As we get to know Pavlo's character more intimately it is understood that Pavlo becomes more and more fixated on becoming a good soldier. He eventually defines this as not only a good killer but the right kind of killer and one who becomes both experienced and joyful about it.
What is the irony of Pavlo's understanding of how to go about reconciling and rectifying his fixation with his reality? Give at least four examples along with explanations of how this irony could create a dark fate for our protagonist.
Essay Topic 3
Pavlo's experience with Brisbey is the first of several confrontations Pavlo has with the harsh realities of war and army life. Our journey as audience members is the same as his. We are confronted with graphically portrayed images of the bodies and perspectives of soldiers and civilians alike are mutilated beyond repair, even destroyed, by the way militaristic attitudes teach those willing to believe that violence is not a means to an end, but an end unto itself.
Expand upon the other ways by which Rabe devises his anti-war message to the audience, using examples to back up your thoughts.
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This section contains 458 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) |
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