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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 expressions do the babies carry in Marion's sketches?

2. Where do Harry and Tyrone cut their drugs?

3. What does Sara receive in the mail?

4. What does a lady recommend to Sara concerning her diet?

5. How much more money do Harry and Tyrone need to purchase the amount of heroin they want?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Marion's increased involvement with Harry and Tyrone as their drug business begins foreshadow?

2. How do people around Harry and Tyrone try to escape?

3. Why is it symbolic that Sara answers whatever intrusive question the television company asks her?

4. How do Tyrone and Harry view working at a regular job?

5. What is ironic about Harry's remark that "juice heads are too much, aren't they? They really have no class, no class at all"?

6. Why is Marion able to sketch again?

7. Why is Harry's daydream at Tyrone's apartment important to the theme of the novel?

8. How does Sara treat her friends?

9. What enabled Marion to have the past life she fondly remembers?

10. What feelings does Marion miss?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Too often Marion, Tyrone, Harry, and Sara focus on unrealistic goals and fantasies. Examine how these characters live outside reality. What are their goals in doing so, and what do they accomplish?

Essay Topic 2

What is the role of doctors in the novel? Consider all characters who interact with doctors. Is the author making a criticism about the medical field?

Essay Topic 3

How does the motif of damaged mother and son relationships grow throughout the novel?

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