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

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Dr. Fine get a good deal on his brownstone?

2. On what holiday do Larkin and Kitty witness Rick's suicide?

3. What does Tess suggest her mother should have done with Paul?

4. How do the Kittredges know the Larkin and Kitty?

5. How much money did Kitty give Paul?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Paul's deceptions throughout the play are met with a combination of incredulity, rage, and sadness. Write an essay about the reaction characters have to Paul's crimes, in three parts:

Part 1) What does Dr. Fine think he is achieving in offering Paul the use of his brownstone? What emotions and social attitudes does the realization of Paul's betrayal evoke in Fine?

Part 2) Why does Flan react so vehemently against Paul and never waver thereafter? What does he think Paul's motivation is in lying to them?

Part 3) Why do the parents become obsessed with discovering the truth behind Paul's deception? Why do they go as far as publishing their story in the New York Times.

Essay Topic 2

The idea of the imagination resonates strongly throughout he play, beginning of course with Paul's "thesis" in the first passages. Write an essay on Guare's understanding of imagination in three parts:

Part 1) Compare Paul's conception of the purpose of imagination in his thesis with what he perceives to be society's new definition of imagination. How are they different? Why does Paul consider the latter reductive?

Paul 2) How doe Ouisa, Flan and Geoffrey react to Paul's thesis on imagination? When Paul appears in Ouisa's imagination later in the play, how does he amend his notion of imagination?

Paul 3) How is what Paul actually does to the families of the play the opposite of his sense of imagination? Is he chipping away at his own personality living in a state of constant deception?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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