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

2. What does the narrator say he did after the incident with the prostitute?

3. What pet name does the Monkey have for the narrator?

4. Who does the last woman the narrator has interest in remind him of?

5. How old was the narrator in 1950?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does the narrator say about the Monkey's life story in Chapter 4?

4. What, according to the narrator, are the worst sins he has committed in Chapter 4?

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

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

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

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

9. What is the title of Chapter 5? What does this refer to?

10. Why did Alex and Kay almost marry? What caused him to end the relationship?

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

What are the predominant metaphors in Portnoy's Complaint? How does the author "set up" these metaphors? How do these major metaphors recur in the text? Define "metaphor" in your answer.

Essay Topic 3

What does the narrator say regarding the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud? Why is this relevant to the novel? What chapter is named after the writings of Freud? Why?

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