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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 the Texan's name?

2. Who convinces Henry Chinaski that anyone can be hired as a postal clerk during Christmas?

3. Who did the money belong to that was stolen from the mail in Chapter 1?

4. What kind of sack does Henry Chinaski find himself wearing in the beginning of Chapter 1?

5. How old is the Texan woman?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of job does Henry get hired for with the postal service, and where is he first assigned?

2. Describe Jonstone.

3. What is The Stone's reaction to Henry's clawed up face after the registered letter incident?

4. Describe the over-reaction Henry has to one of the women on Route 511 in Chapter 1, parts 12-17.

5. Describe the character of G.G.

6. What happens when The Stone assigns all subs except Henry?

7. How does the author explain why Henry's own clothes are shabby?

8. How does the woman who has the registered letter on Route 511 respond to Henry, and what does this lead to him doing in response?

9. Who is Gramps Wally?

10. From whom and how does Matthew Battles steal, and whom does this disappoint?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Henry display sensitivity after Betty's death, and why is this a rare happening in the novel? What part of Henry's personality prevents him from being a sensitive person?

Essay Topic 2

What is the relationship like between Henry and The Stone? Does this ever change? If so, how and why?

Essay Topic 3

How and why did Matthew Battles and George Green fail the postal service? Compare and contrast their demise. What effect did each of their failures have on Henry and his decision to resign from the postal service?

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This section contains 557 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample