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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. According to Wilhelm, who would Dr. Adler like to be rid of?

2. What does Dr. Adler brag that Wilhelm's career is?

3. Which of the following is an invention of Dr. Tamkin's?

4. What keeps Wilhelm from letting his father have it?

5. Which character thinks, ""I am an idiot. I have no reserve."

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

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

4. 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?

5. 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?

6. What are Tamkin's "here-and-now" mental exercises and what is their purpose?

7. What is the one item that Wilhelm tells Dr. Adler he wanted most when he left Margaret and why?

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

9. What does Wilhelm hope to receive from Mr. Rappaport in Chapter 5?

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

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

Dr. Adler and Wilhelm are two important characters in Seize the Day and have a major impact on the course of the story.

Part 1) Compare and contrast the characters of Dr. Adler and Wilhelm. How are they the same? How are they different?

Part 2) How would we see Wilhelm differently if Dr. Adler had never been introduced as a character?

Part 3) Who is the better father, Dr. Adler or Wilhelm? Cite several examples from the book to support your case.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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