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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. For whom is "I've Never Had It Done So Gently Before" dedicated in The Pill versus The Springhill Mine Disaster?

2. To whom is "Map Shower" in The Pill versus The Springhill Mine Disaster dedicated?

3. What does Brautigan harbor himself towards in "Hey, Bacon!" in The Pill versus The Springhill Mine Disaster?

4. What year did Brautigan write in "Your Departure Versus the Hindenburg" in The Pill versus The Springhill Mine Disaster?

5. Brautigan writes to "burn all the ___ to your body" in "The Double-Bed Dream Gallows" from The Pill versus The Springhill Mine Disaster.

Short Essay Questions

1. In what poem from The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster does Brautigan cite "Casablanca"? How?

2. What is the poem "Star-Spangled' Nails" about?

3. What theme permeates the poem "I Feel Horrible. She Doesn't"? What symbolism supports this theme?

4. In what poems from The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster does Brautigan reflect personal thoughts?

5. In which poem does Brautigan refer to the Hindenberg Disaster? How?

6. Discuss the tone of the poem "The Return of the Rivers." What does Brautigan describe here?

7. What imagery is used in the poem, "The Winos on Potrero Hill"?

8. What is the emotional state of Brautigan in the poem "Boo, Forever"?

9. What similes and metaphors are used in the poem "Sonnet" from The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster?

10. What imagery does Brautigan produce in the poem "December 30"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Brautigan's narrative voice and tense in In Watermelon Sugar. How is this similar or different than Trout Fishing in America?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the critical response to Brautigan's work. How were each of these three books received by critics? What literary circles was Brautigan associated with?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the setting of In Watermelon Sugar. What is notable about this setting in comparison to that of Trout Fishing in America?

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