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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. Which of the following does Dr. Adler NOT prescribe for Wilhelm to feel better about himself?

2. Although Wilhelm did not graduate from college, he sometimes lies and says he attended which institution?

3. Why does Wilhelm accuse Dr. Adler of not understanding him?

4. What does Wilhelm compare himself to when he sees his reflection in the glass?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the reason Wilhelm gives Mr. Perls in Chapter 2 for not having a job?

2. 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?

3. In Chapter 5, we learn that Wilhelm appeared in as an extra in a movie twenty years ago. What was his role?

4. What are Dr. Adler's and Mr. Perls' impressions of Dr. Tamkin in Chapter 2?

5. Describe the guests at the Hotel Gloriana.

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

7. Instead of using Tamkin's here-and-now exercise, what does Wilhelm close his eyes and hear?

8. As Wilhelm walks Mr. Rappaport to get cigarettes, what story does he hear?

9. How does Wilhelm feel about Mr. Rappaport's chicken industry in Chapter 5?

10. Describe Wilhelm's relationship with Dr. Adler.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The last scene in the book is very significant and ties together many of the themes of the book. Select one topic to write about.

1) The last scene is foreshadowed in the book in many different places. Cite at least 2 examples of how it is foreshadowed.

2) The final scene is also a metaphor for Wilhelm. How is it a metaphor for Wilhelm? What does it reveal about his character?

3) The final scene is rich in imagery and language dealing with water. Cite 3 examples of allusions and what they reveal about the story and Wilhelm's character development.

4) The final paragraph is the perfect summation of the entire story, especially the final line: "He heard it and sank deeper than sorrow, through torn sobs and cries toward the consummation of his heart's ultimate need." What is his "heart's ultimate need"? Why do you think that? You must refer to specific examples from the book to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the story, the narrator employs metaphor as a literary device to help us better understand the text.

Part 1) Cite a metaphor in the text and how it is used to further that scene, or a character's development.

Part 2) Why does that metaphor help us readers?

Essay Topic 3

When we meet Wilhelm, he considers himself a complete failure. The motif of failure reappears throughout the book.

Part 1) Why is failure significant in this story? What is Wilhelm's relationship with failure?

Part 2) Sometimes failure is defined by its inverse - success. How does Dr. Adler's success help illuminate not only Wilhelm's failure, but some of his own shortcomings?

Part 3) What does Wilhelm learn from his failure, if anything? Do you think he will apply these lessons to his life beyond the book? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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