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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 do Thomas and a friend leave on Teddy Boylan's yard?

2. Why is Thomas sent out of town?

3. What does Axel put into one of his rolls before he bakes some?

4. What is the presumed cause of Axel's death?

5. Who blackmails Clothilde when he finds out she has been having an affair with Thomas?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the $5000 Thomas gives back to Rudolph?

2. Explain the foreshadowing of Axel's being in a boat.

3. What does Thomas do to Teddy Boylan as revenge for Teddy's seducing Gretchen?

4. What behavior does Gretchen seem unable to shake?

5. Who does Thomas fight at the gym and why is he so violent?

6. What is the significance of the Communist charges brought against Professor Denton?

7. What are the underlying feelings of the members of the Jordache family at dinner?

8. What is the nature of Thomas' affair with Clothilde?

9. In what way is Gretchen showing some emotional growth?

10. What important realization does Rudolph come to while temporarily working in the family bakery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of the book's title? Who do you think Shaw had in mind for the rich man? Who did he consider to be the poor man? Remember that financial status is not the only measure of a man's worth.

Essay Topic 2

What is Teddy Boylan's role in the story? What is his background? Why is he interested in Gretchen? What is his relationship with Rudolph? Is he the quintessential "rich man?"

Essay Topic 3

Explain the ongoing conflict between Rudolph, Thomas and Gretchen. What are the main sources of the conflicts? Why does it perpetuate?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 928 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample