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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 was Hellman's "sin" after gaining literary success?

2. How did Hollywoodites maintain their innocence?

3. Hellman's first published play was:

4. What helped Truman get re-elected in 1948?

5. According to Wills, America focused on fighting _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. How was Gary Cooper taunting the government during his hearing?

2. How were Hollywood producers under a lot of pressure during the McCarthy hearings?

3. What would deem someone "guilty" to the House Committee?

4. Other than the subpoena, what troubles did Hellman face? How helpful were Hellman's friends during this time?

5. In Hellman's opinion, what caused Communism to grow in popularity among Americans?

6. How did Hammett respond to Hellman's plan to testify? Why did he react this way?

7. How did Hellman plan to approach her testimony? Why did she plan to take this action?

8. If Hellman hadn't learned German, would she not have left Germany so quickly?

9. How was Truman able to get reelected in 1948?

10. What were Hellman's opinions of how McCarthy and Nixon saw their own preaching?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hellman often switches from an objective account to a personal blow to government officials. Many of these comments add humor to the text. Discuss how Hellman uses humorous and ridiculous recollection in her work. What does this display about her subconscious perspective? Hellman as a person? Hellman at the time of writing?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Hammett's role in Hellman's life and how his presence affected this experience for her. Give 2-3 examples from the book to support your statements.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how Hellman connects dots between events and attitudes during McCarthy and into the future. Make sure you cover the gravity she gives the McCarthy era, her perception of Americans, and her perception of the world.

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