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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 says, "And I want nobody on my back. Get off!"
2. What does Wilhelm's father still call him?
3. Dr. Adler loves to brag about his son's career as a sales executive and corresponding salary. How does he describe his son's salary?
4. What is the name of the hotel where Wilhelm and Dr. Adler stay?
5. What does Dr. Adler brag that Wilhelm's career is?
Short Essay Questions
1. How does Margaret make Wilhelm feel when she harps on him for money?
2. Describe Wilhelm's appearance.
3. How does Wilhelm view himself after speaking with his father?
4. What is the significance of the power of attorney document that Wilhelm signs for Tamkin?
5. Wilhelm tells his father that he won't let the Rojax Corporation get away with pushing him out because, "It's a question of morale." What did he mean to say?
6. In Chapter 4, Wilhelm talks about how things would be different with his relationship with his father if he were poor. What would change and why?
7. Describe Wilhelm's first impressions of Mr. Perls in Chapter 2.
8. Is Dr. Adler respected by the others at the Hotel? How do you know?
9. Name some of Wilhelm's bad habits that his father cannot stand.
10. What does Wilhelm hope to receive from Mr. Rappaport in Chapter 5?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
The title of the book, Seize the Day, is used twice in the text, by two different characters.
Part 1) What does "seize the day" mean?
Part 2) Who uses the phrase? Is it used differently the first time it's used and the second? Why or why not?
Part 3) Why do you think Saul Bellow chose this title for his book?
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
Poetry is quintessential to shaping this story, and reappears throughout the novel. Select one of the following topics:
1. When Wilhelm was sick, Margaret nursed him and read him poetry. In particular, he recalls a few lines of one of the poems she read. What is the significance of this poem? What does it mean for Wilhelm's character development? At what point in the story is this poem revealed? Why is this significant to the story?
2. Before going to the market, Tamkin gives Wilhelm a poem that he claims to have penned just for him. What is the significance of this poem? What does it mean for Wilhelm's character development? At what point in the story is this poem revealed? Why is this significant to the story?
3. Throughout the story, Wilhelm recalls a book of poetry he had read in college. Specifically, it's the line, "Sunk though he be beneath the wat'ry floor." What is the significance of this poem? What does it mean for Wilhelm's character development? Does the meaning of this statement change as we learn more about Wilhelm and the circumstances of his life?
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This section contains 749 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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