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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 ecstatic poet does Eccles frequently read to his daughter?

2. From what television show does Rabbit admit stealing his religious analogy about the tree and the waterfall?

3. With which religious designation does Eccles characterize his reactionary father?

4. What does Ruth bring to Harry when she returns from the bathroom at the end of this section?

5. What do Janice and Harry suspect Miss Arndt has?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Harry and Lucy's first meeting dangerous?

2. Describe Rabbit's run to the hospital.

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

4. Describe the argument Harry has with Ruth about her going to the bathroom.

5. What excuse does Janice make to her father regarding Harry?

6. Describe Lucy Eccles.

7. Why does Harry leave Janice at the end of this section?

8. How does Jack Eccles ensure he will see Harry again?

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

10. Why does Ruth insist that Rabbit has it made in life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the theme of forgiveness in the novel. Harry Angstrom is constantly relying upon the willingness of people around him to forgive him his transgressions. Who refuses this forgiveness? Who is willing to give him more leeway, and how does he repay this good faith? Do people who forgive him in the novel seem naive? To what extent does the world consider Harry an exception?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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