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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. Where was Kay from?

2. Who was the narrator's favorite "hero" in eighth grade?

3. What is above the bathroom sink in the Girardi home?

4. What does the narrator say that Bubbles is growing?

5. Whom did the narrator invite back to his hotel while on the trip in Chapter 6?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened with Mandel and Bubbles? What does this prompt the narrator to need to know?

2. Where did Alex go on a trip with Kay? What does Alex say about his experience with Kay's family?

3. How did Alex feel about having "a real" relationship with the Monkey?

4. What does Alex say about the photo of Jesus in Bubbles's house?

5. What does the narrator retell about the burlesque show in Chapter 4?

6. What does Alex suggest that the Monkey says are his worst sins?

7. Who is Bubbles? What was she to Alex?

8. What story does Alex tell of the Monkey with the married couple?

9. What does Alex say he sometimes fantasizes about in Chapter 6?

10. What does the Monkey fantasize about while returning from their trip? How does Alex ruin this mood?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss "Stream of Consciousness" as a stylistic device in the novel. How does this impact the reader's understanding? How does this affect the flow of time?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the misogynistic elements of the novel and particularly those of the main character. How does Alex's behavior toward women exude misogynist traits? How does his phraseology?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the Oedipus Complex as it applies to the main character of Portnoy's Complaint. What emotions and experiences support this theme?

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