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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 Wilhelm think of Mr. Perls?

2. Who pressured Maurice Venice to give Wilhelm a shot at Hollywood?

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

4. At the beginning of Chapter 3, which character leaves the room first?

5. What doesn't Dr. Adler understand about Wilhelm?

Short Essay Questions

1. Dr. Adler says to Wilhelm, "It doesn't enter your mind that when I die--a year, two years from now--you'll still be here." What does he mean to say and what impression does he give Wilhelm instead?

2. In Chapter 4, Wilhelm reveals the real reason he lost his job. What is it?

3. In Chapter 4, Tamkin tells Wilhelm, "Facts always are sensational. I'll say that a second time. Facts always! are sensational!" What is his purpose for making that statement?

4. Why does Wilhelm agree to sign a power of attorney document for Tamkin?

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

6. According to Wilhelm in Chapter 6, why won't Margaret marry again?

7. In Chapter 4, what is the reason that Tamkin cannot invest as much money in the stock market as Wilhelm?

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

9. What is the importance of this quote in relation to Wilhelm: "Someone had said, and Wilhelm agreed with the saying, that in Los Angeles, all the loose objects in the country were collected, as if America had been tilted and everything that wasn't tightly screwed down had slid into Southern California."?

10. Why is Wilhelm's relationship with Margaret complicated at this point in the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In this story, many of the characters, particularly Wilhelm, struggle to define themselves. Wilhelm has been called by many different names in his life - Wilky, Wilhelm, Tommy Wilhelm, and Vevel.

Part 1) Identify each name and what it means to Wilhelm.

Part 2) Which one does Wilhelm most identify with and why?

Essay Topic 2

Point of view has such a presence in the book that it is almost another character.

Part 1) What point of view does the narrator use in the book? Why is it significant?

Part 2) How does this point of view affect our perception of Wilhelm as a character? Why?

Part 3) How would the book be different if told from a different point of view?

Essay Topic 3

The relationship between Tamkin and Wilhelm in particular illustrates how powerfully trust can influence people. Select one topic to write about.

1. One way we learn that Wilhelm is distrustful of Tamkin is through his detailed description of Tamkin's physical appearance. What is significant about this description? What does it reveal about Wilhelm's attitudes toward Tamkin?

2. Tamkin is always telling fantastical stories and announces that "facts are always sensational." What does he mean by this? Does this comment help Wilhelm to trust Tamkin or no? Why or why not?

3. Sometimes we are predisposed to either trust or not trust someone. What specific factors in Wilhelm's life set up his acceptance of Tamkin? Which factors in his life also lead him to question Tamkin's intentions?

(see the answer keys)

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