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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. While Amanda ultimately decides there is nothing morally wrong with eating meat, with what practice does she take umbrage?

2. Who restores Plucky's faith in Catholicism?

3. How does Plucky and the others know that Father Gustadt has found them?

4. What is Plucky's assignment in Vatican City?

5. What does Amanda purchase from the Cowboy after Marx's employment?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Plucky been handling his situation with the Society, per Marx's initiation into the secret infiltration?

2. Discuss the continual conflict between Marx and Amanda prior to his suicide attempt.

3. What is John Paul's plan for the Corpse when he disappears with it, Mon Cul, and Plucky Purcell?

4. Why do the Zillers tend to avoid alcohol?

5. Describe Amanda's suggestion that the federal agent is a symbol junkie.

6. What argument does Marx use on Amanda against vegetarianism and what conclusions does she draw from this?

7. What does Amanda point out that squashes Pulcky and Marx's idea of using the corpse to blackmail people in charge of the world?

8. Describe the Second Coming as Marx discovers it.

9. What is significant about Amanda's wishes for the Corpse?

10. What observations do the Zillers and Marx make about the loggers and their work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the possibilities that Marx, Plucky, and Ziller consider for the Corpse and why? What are the pros and cons to every idea? How do their personal viewpoints affect their opinions on the Corpse's fate? What are some of the morally gray areas about which the four of them are forced to debate in this regard? Discuss the answers to these questions in an essay. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the clashes between the government and "normal" society with people such as the Zillers, the circus people, and Plucky Purcell. Detail the history behind the prejudices each group may hold about the other and how their interactions are based out of these ingrained biases. Also discuss how the discussions about the Corpse are reflective of the way these people have been treated by the government and mainstream society in the past. Be sure to develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Compose an essay about the complexities of Marx and Amanda's relationship. Discuss his visceral attraction to her and his need for a motherly and spiritual figure in life, as well as his suicide attempt after her rejection. From Amanda's perspective, discuss her reasons for sleeping with other men and her rejection of Marx Marvelous. Do not forget to discuss their sexual encounter at the end of the book and their motivations for doing so. Develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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