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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. Who does Harry think Lucy Eccles is when he arrives at her house?

2. Where had Janice initially thought Rabbit was when he did not return?

3. What ecstatic poet does Eccles frequently read to his daughter?

4. For what ostensible expense does Harry give Ruth fifteen dollars at the end of dinner?

5. What is the name of the first man with whom Ruth had sex?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Reverend Kruppenbach believe is the true vocation of a preacher?

2. What is Harry's work situation after he returns home?

3. How does Rebecca Angstrom die?

4. Why does Harry resent Ruth's going to the bathroom after sex?

5. Describe Ruth's high school relationship with Harrison.

6. Why does Harry fear he has killed a second child while speaking to Ruth?

7. How does Harry interact with Mrs. Springer after coming home?

8. How does Ruth respond to Harry's decision to join his wife in the hospital?

9. Why is Joyce Eccles afraid?

10. How does Harry ruin his daughter's funeral?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jack Eccles is one of the more dynamic figures in the novel. He represents a new attitude toward religion and its place in a modern world. Write an essay about Jack Eccles and his struggle with both the extremely traditional view of his vocation (as represented by Reverend Kruppenbach) and the secular modernist view (as represented by his wife). How does Eccles' relationship with Harry make manifest this inner struggle to understand his own faith?

Essay Topic 2

Updike spends quite a bit of time in the novel dealing with the mechanics and politics of sexual intercourse. Write an essay comparing his two extended sex scenes: Harry's first night with Ruth Leonard, and Harry's aborted attempt to have sex with Janice after she gives birth. What does Harry want in these scenes? What do the women want? How does each participant try to gain the upper hand? What is Updike saying about the nature of inter-gender communication?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about Janice Angstrom's inner struggle with her own self-image. How does her relationship with Harry affect the way in which she views herself? In what way do her children serve as surrogates for her husband? Why does she turn to alcohol so often to cope with life? Explore these questions as you chart her character's arc.

(see the answer keys)

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