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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 Marx suggest as being the beginning stages of John Paul and Amanda's spiritualism?

2. In order to smuggle the Corpse out of the country, within what does Plucky convince his artist friend to encase the body?

3. Why do the Zillers, Marx, and Plucky find the Second Coming problematic?

4. In Marx's vision, upon what animal does Tarzan ride?

5. According to Tarzan, what caused men to lose touch with death and, thus, created an unnatural fear of it?

Short Essay Questions

1. What duties does Marx perform at the zoo?

2. Compare and contrast Pan and Jesus.

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

4. How does Plucky stumble over the Corpse?

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

6. How does Plucky escape from the Vatican with the Corpse?

7. Why does Marx attempt suicide and what change overcome him as a result?

8. Who is Sister Hillary and why is she important?

9. Describe Marx and Amanda's last night and morning at the zoo.

10. What is Plucky Purcell's fate and final message?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay that presents the character of Mon Cul as the link between science and faith (Marx Marvelous's motivation through the novel). Discuss his layered role as a companion to John Paul (as well as the man's motivation for acquiring the baboon) and the significance behind the experimental balloon's need for baboons (particularly in regards to Mon Cul steering the balloon with himself, John Paul, and the Corpse as passengers). Develop a clear thesis statement on this topic and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the death of John Paul Ziller in the following format:

Part 1) Foreshadowing.

Part 2) Returning to "the source."

Part 3) The artist and the metaphor.

Part 4) His relationship with Amanda.

Part 5) Sacrifice versus suicide.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the government and the church in "Another Roadside Attraction." Discuss how Amanda's discussions with the federal agents and Plucky's encounter with Sister Hillary are reflective of an institution's ability to use innocent people for their own purposes. Finally, analyze the flaws in these systems as presented in this book and how Marx's theories about the downfall of these institutions is slow, yet inevitable.

(see the answer keys)

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