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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. After every encounter with Dr. Adler, what does Wilhelm feel?

2. What floor of the hotel does Wilhelm live on?

3. Who has Wilhelm by the throat, and is strangling him?

4. What does Dr. Adler think about Wilhelm and Margaret?

5. What is the name of Wilhelm's dog?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Dr. Adler respected by the others at the Hotel? How do you know?

2. In Chapter 3, Wilhelm talks about his apartment in Roxbury. What appealed to him about this apartment?

3. In Chapter 7, what is odd about Wilhelm's sobbing at a funeral?

4. How does Wilhelm view himself after speaking with his father?

5. Tamkin and Wilhelm are equal partners, but Tamkin invested less than Wilhelm. What does Wilhelm think about how Tamkin might use this to his advantage?

6. In the beginning of Chapter 2, Wilhelm and Dr. Adler have a conversation about Wilhelm's mother. What do they talk about?

7. What happens in Chapter 7 when Wilhelm goes to see his father in the spa?

8. What particular feature of Tamkin does Wilhelm constantly refer to in Chapter 4? And how do they change throughout the chapter?

9. Why is Wilhelm not more supportive of Catherine's artistic pursuits? What is significant about this?

10. Describe Wilhelm's first impressions of Maurice Venice, the talent scout who invites Wilhelm to Los Angeles.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In defense of his own intentions, Tamkin tells Wilhelm, "I deal in facts. Facts are always sensational. I'll say that a second time. Facts always! are sensational."

Part 1) What does Tamkin mean by this?

Part 2) How does this serve his own end with Wilhelm?

Part 3) Do you agree with Tamkin? Why or why not?

Part 4) Wilhelm later states, "These hints, made dully as asides, grew by repetition into sensational claims." Does this change the meaning of Tamkin's statement? What is Wilhelm saying about Tamkin and his deceiver's tactics?

Essay Topic 2

Persuasion is an important motif throughout the book.

Part 1) How is persuasion used in the book to influence the main character, Wilhelm? Be specific with quotes and examples from the text.

Part 2) What techniques does the narrator use to persuade us, the readers, to feel a certain why? Cite examples of this.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the book, alienation is presented as a theme. Wilhelm is the most striking example of this alienation.

Part 1) How is Wilhelm alienated in this story? To what extent is it his own doing and to what extent is it thrust upon him by the other characters? Why do you think this? Cite specific examples from the text.

Part 2) Many characters in this book are also alienated in their own way. Discuss the characters of Dr. Adler and Tamkin and analyze how they are alienated. Use specific examples from the text.

Part 3) Alienation has a powerful effect on the motivations of our characters. How does alienation affect Wilhelm in the story? Do you think the story would be different if he were not alienated? How would it change?

(see the answer keys)

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