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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. What do Verlin and Patsy want to see while they're in New York?

2. Whose name does Ellen Cherry say when she goes to bed, after she has the realization about Buddy's desire for the apocalypse?

3. What information does Boomer give to Ellen Cherry in his letter?

4. Who does Ellen call to see if Boomer is back in town?

5. Who convinces Buddy to give up his plans to blow up the Dome of the Rock?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the appeal of the belly dancer, Salome, to the male audience.

2. Why do you think Salome chooses to perform the Dance of the Seven Veils during the Super Bowl?

3. Explain the final revelation evoked by The Dance of the Seven Veils.

4. Describe the statue Boomer is making in Jerusalem and comment on its significance.

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. Throughout the novel so far, Ellen Cherry seems to be cosmically bound to the group of objects. As they try to escape, Buddy catches two of them. Which objects does he catch and is Buddy also cosmically connected to the objects? Why?

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

8. Describe what happens to Ellen Cherry when she plays the eye game looking at Spoon.

9. 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?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare the contrast the two radically different political positions represented by Spike and Abu on the one hand and Buddy on the other. What do they each think about the conflict in the middle east? How do their ideas, both about it's background and the best possible resolution to the conflict, differ? Consider the problem or issue of interpretation in history.

Essay Topic 2

Explore the significance of the title. Ellen Cherry comments that Salome has skinny legs for a belly dancer. Why do you think that Robbins chose this as the defining moment of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Consider Robbins' unique style. How do you describe it? What do you think it allows him to do that a more traditional style prevents? Analyze at least three specific examples to support your thesis.

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