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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. Why was the Good Times Lounge lawsuit dropped?

2. Why was Hamper given a $2,700 check?

3. What happened when Hamper wanted to get out of his move to Pontiac

4. Why was Gino moved from his position as supervisor on the Rivet Line?

5. As Hamper begins Chapter Five, what does he think is the worst part of unemployment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Hamper describes Paul Schobel's work techniques through a series of natural metaphors (pg 189). Why is this different from what might be expected? How is it humorous?

2. How did Hamper's fellow factory workers respond to the article in the Wall Street Journal? Given the tone of this part of the story, where did Hamper actually get his happiness?

3. What was one of Hamper's favorite ways to pass time at work? How is this an interesting facet of his character?

4. At the beginning of Chapter 5, how did Hamper portray the employees of the Michigan Employment Security Commission? Is this a fair picture?

5. How did the men on the Rivet Line deal with the supervisor sent in to replace Gino? How was this a sign that they are powerful?

6. What kind of supervisor was Gino? How did Hamper respond to his leadership?

7. During and after his first panic attack, what did Hamper realize about himself?

8. What conversation did Hamper and his grandfather have during the family reunion? How does this fittingly illustrate the difference in their generations?

9. In the Epilogue, Hamper shows the conflict between his mindset as a shop-rat and his time outside the factory in therapy. How did he show this and which attitude was stronger in his mind?

10. What did Hamper think when Janice came to work on the Rivet Line? How was his reaction different from the men around him and how might this be surprising?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several times throughout the book, Hamper gives foreshadowing of his mental breakdown. Where are these references? Do they prepare the reader for what is coming?

Essay Topic 2

What is the effect of Hamper's family tree as the reader moves through the book? Why would he give such detail about his extended family work history?

Essay Topic 3

How was Hamper involved in writing throughout the course of his life? How did his attitude toward it change?

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