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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. Who is the first person Foyle sees on board the Vorga at the opening of Chapter 14?

2. Who does Foyle become in order to protect himself from the Jack-jaunters attacking him on Fifth Avenue?

3. What is Mars St. Michele?

4. What does Foyle tell Olivia he has been "all his life" in Chapter 14?

5. What location is considered the center of corruption in Rome?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe a sympathetic block.

2. Describe, in a couple of sentences, the nature of the first Solar War as explained in Chapter 8.

3. Describe Olivia Presteign.

4. How does Robin assist Foyle in his role as Geoffrey Fourmyle?

5. What is the nature of the discussion in the Star Chamber in Chapter 14?

6. What does Foyle do after he finds Rodg Kempsey on the moon?

7. Who does Foyle kidnap on Mars? Describe Foyle's victim.

8. Describe the Cellar Christians and why they feel the need to conduct themselves in the fashion they do.

9. Describe Analogue and how and why it is used.

10. What proposition does Foyle make Robin after her suicide attempt, and what is her response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the most interesting relationships in the book is that between Foyle and Olivia. Robin looks at the two of them and sees two grotesque people. Foyle looks at their relationship and sees hope. Describe how the relationship between Foyle and Olivia changes, for better or worse, from the time of their first meeting at the Presteign mansion until his parting from her. Note in your discussion how Olivia is shown not to be what Foyle thought her to be and how that impacts his relationship with her.

Essay Topic 2

In the last two chapters of the book, author Bester basically throws convention to the wind and attempts to describe what happens with Foyle in hyperbolic language and graphic representations of what is fundamentally indescribable. Discuss Bester's use of these tools, how effective you felt they were, and share an alternate way of communicating the same truths without using the same conventions Bester did.

Essay Topic 3

One thread woven throughout The Stars My Destination is the notion of escape and consequent freedom. Obviously, Foyle wants revenge on the Vorga, but achieving that vengeance gives him the freedom to continue his life. Are there other characters who are bound by something--be it a physical trait, an internal state, or something else? Identify at least three other characters who are "held back" in some fashion by something in their lives. Identify their handicaps, how those handicaps keep them from experiencing freedom, and how they overcome those handicaps (if indeed they are able to overcome them.)

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