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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 does Gretchen realize when she gets home?

2. What does Rudolph do in French class?

3. Who does Rudolph run into at the roadhouse?

4. What does Thomas get from a lawyer who has been stealing at the club?

5. Who is Rudolph's new running partner?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the complications of Axel's decision to pay off the father of the girls who have accused Thomas of statutory rape.

2. What is Mary's reaction when she learns that Axel gave up $5,000 to save Thomas?

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

4. What is the irony of the money Thomas receives and then wants to pay back to his father?

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

6. How has Teddy Boylan helped Rudolph with his career and at what point does Rudolph call an end to the relationship?

7. What happens to Thomas as a result of his beating Mr. Greening?

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

9. What behavior does Gretchen seem unable to shake?

10. Explain why Thomas is so happy living in Ohio.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Explain how Rudolph's role as protagonist evolves as the plot extends. How does Rudolph change from the hard-working boy in a bakery to a manipulative businessman and politician? What are Rudolph's motivators? Is Rudolph the typical protagonist hero?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the author's use of point of view in this story. Identify the point of view used and explain why this book qualifies. How would the book have changed if the author had selected a different point of view?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 910 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample