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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 career does Wilhelm's mother want him to consider instead of acting?

2. What does Wilhelm think of Mr. Perls?

3. What stage name does Wilhelm Adler take on when he arrives in Hollywood?

4. 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?

5. Who does Dr. Adler always boast about to his friends?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What is the main reason that Wilhelm begins to cry at the funeral in Chapter 7? Why does he continue?

6. Describe the guests at the Hotel Gloriana.

7. Name some of Wilhelm's bad habits that his father cannot stand.

8. How does Wilhelm find himself at a stranger's funeral in Chapter 7?

9. In Chapter 6, what do we learn about Mr. Rappaport's personal life?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Foreshadowing is a literary device that is used quite often in the book.

Part 1) What is foreshadowing?

Part 2) Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how they're used in the text.

Part 3) Why is foreshadowing important in this particular story? What effect does it have on us as readers?

Essay Topic 3

Alienation is a motif we see most readily in Wilhelm. He has alienated himself from family, friends, and the world in general.

Part 1) Are there other characters in the book who are also alienated? Which ones? Why would you categorize them as alienated?

Part 2) How does Tamkin take advantage of alienation to serve his own purpose with Wilhelm? Cite specific examples from the text.

Part 3) Would you consider Tamkin to also be alienated? Why or why not? How does this impact the other characters in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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