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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. Who thinks he is tougher than Rusty-James?

2. How much does someone offer Motorcycle Boy to kill someone?

3. How old is Rusty-James at the onset of chapter two?

4. Of what gang is Motorcycle Boy the president?

5. How old does Rusty-James say Steve behaves?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 9, how has Rusty-James' vision of Motorcycle Boy changed since the prior night?

2. Why does Rusty-James believe all the people he cares about "talk about weird things?"

3. What does Rusty-James think about Biff's declaration that he is going to kill him?

4. Why does Motorcycle Boy's comment, "it looks like Rusty-James is always messed up, one way or the other," surprise Rusty-James?

5. What happens to Rusty-James when he is frisked by the police?

6. What does Rusty-James recognize about Motorcycle Boy when he sees some of Motorcycle Boy's old gang members?

7. In Chapter 7, why is Rusty-James afraid of Motorcycle Boy?

8. Why does Rusty-James resent Steve's presence on the beach?

9. Why is Rusty-James frightened when Motorcycle Boy smiles after he tells him the picture was a good one?

10. Why does Rusty-James not tell people that his father used to be a lawyer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The role of women in "Rumble Fish" is one of disappointment and negativity. Select one of the female characters (e.g., Cassandra, Patty, Motorcycle Boy's and Rusty-James' mom,) and define how their representation is a reflection of Rusty-James' attitude. Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Steve is Rusty-James' best friend and confidante, but he is also Rusty-James' foil. Explain how Steve is the opposite of, or the foil to, Rusty-James' character.

Essay Topic 3

How does the perspective of distance between the past and the present affect the main protagonist, Rusty-James? Analyze how Rusty-James' character has/has not changed during the five years since the night of the knife fight.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 508 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample