View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Ellen Cherry's visit to Ultima a relief?

2. What inspires or convinces the belly dancer to do the Dance of the Seven Veils?

3. Where does Can 'o Beans end up?

4. What does Buddy do instead of going to Jerusalem?

5. Which objects are picked up by Buddy in the Seventh Veil?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Ultima and Ellen Cherry talk about art, Ultima says that some artists admit defeat and stop trying to be original. Ellen Cherry disagrees with this and says artists always strive for originality. Why do you think this conversation inspires her to begin painting again?

2. Explain the conversation that Ellen Cherry has with Patsy on the phone the day after she sleeps with Spike.

3. Explain the Vice President's concern regarding Buddy's plan to blow up the Dome of the Rock.

4. Without art and without Boomer, Ellen Cherry is beginning to feel that life is meaningless. What do you think Robbins is saying about the relationship between the meaning we give our lives and our endeavors and/or relationships?

5. Is there a reason why Dirty Sock is the only object left behind when the objects escape and never makes it to Jerusalem?

6. Painted Stick strikes a human in order to save Spoon from being picked up. Explain why he feels so bad about this.

7. Why does Patsy's question concerning second marriage bother Buddy?

8. Is there symbolic significance in the event when Ellen Cherry, having determined to paint again, goes looking for Turn Around Norman and finds Buddy instead?

9. What is Uncle Buddy's reasoning for attempting to blow up the Dome of the Rock?

10. Patsy tells Ellen Cherry that it seems like Boomer loves her but doesn't like her, while he likes but doesn't love Ultima. Does this seem like a true representation of Boomer's feelings, based on what you know about him so far?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are definitely two different worlds in this novel. There is the human world and the object world. The object world, of course, is totally aware of and even engaged in the human world, but the opposite is not true. Explore the different qualities of these two worlds. In what ways, if any, do the objects actually influence or impact the course of events in the human world? Are there any features or aspects of the two worlds that clearly differentiate them from each other?

Essay Topic 2

How does nature figure into this novel? Consider the instances where people or objects come into contact with nature or natural forces. For example, when the objects are making their way to New York, they encounter several natural obstacles along the way. Do these events (or others that involve contact with nature) have a significance beyond their function in the plot? For example, is the natural world a place where things are possible that aren't in the city? Are the events individually symbolic?

Essay Topic 3

Compare the two stories of Salome. How does the ancient version of Salome compare to the modern version? The ancient Salome performs the Dance of the Seven Veils in exchange for John the Baptist's head on a plate. The modern Salome dances in response to Ellen Cherry's mural during the Super Bowl.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,606 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample