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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following children does not come down from Harvard in this section?

2. In which play by Anton Chekhov does Rick say he wants to be the lead?

3. Which of the following is not a college that Paul lists Flan's "new" children attending?

4. Which of the assembled children in this section takes exception for what he perceives as an unspoken accusation of drug use?

5. Which New York periodical publishes the Kittredges' story in this section?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Trent Conway has a smaller but resonant role in Six Degrees of Separation. His decision to take Paul home one night catalyzes the ensuing events that comprise the play. Write an essay about Trent's motivation and catalyzing effect on the play. What does Trent want? Is he accepted by any particular group? How does he see his training of Paul as a solution?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the play, Paul is something of a sounding board for other people's sense of self. He allows them to see themselves in a better, more idealistic light. Write an essay on Paul's positive interaction with others in three parts:

Part 1) Dr. Fine reconnects with his family and his sense of social good in his meeting with Paul. How does Paul make this possible? How long does this idealism last in the doctor?

Part 2) What is Geoffrey's set understanding of the way of the world at the beginning of the play? How does Paul's visit reinforce Geoffrey's better angels and challenge his sense of complacency?

Part 3) Ouisa is perhaps the most profoundly changed by Paul. In what ways does her one night with him alter her sense of the world? How is she shaken and left discontent by their connection?

Essay Topic 3

The story of Six Degrees of Separation is related to the audience int he manner of a cocktail party anecdote. Write an essay on the role of the anecdote throughout the play:

Part 1) How is the story of the Kittredges' night with Geoffrey the central anecdote of the play? To what extent does the rest of the play stem from Ouisa and Flan's attempt to fully explain this anecdote?

Part 2) The story of Rick's suicide is the one major anecdote of the play not related by the Kittredges. How do Kitty and Larkin frame the story of this most harrowing of plot points? In what way does the anecdote intentionally fall flat at the end?

Part 3) What is Ouisa's complaint about the anecdote at the end of the play? How has she reached a point in her life where the anecdote is a sickening item to her? To what extent does she reject the frame of the play at the end?

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