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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. Where is Jess living at the beginning of Chapter 5?

2. Which of the following does Jess NOT do while at the mental hospital?

3. Chapter 1 takes the reader back in time for a look at gay history and this technique is called ______________.

4. A lesbian who acts in a traditionally feminine way is called _________________.

5. Who is the butch who offers Jess a place to stay?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Jess on her first night on her own?

2. Describe the nature of factory life in the 1960s.

3. Even though Jess experiences anti-Semitic cruelty, what eclipses this hatred directed toward her?

4. Explain why Jess has a typical gay childhood?

5. Why did the butches and femmes have no recourse against the police brutality?

6. Explain the relationship between Jess and Theresa and why they cannot protect each other from hurt in spite of their love.

7. How does the author insert some levity into the story?

8. How does the topic of feminism enter into Jess and Theresa's life?

9. Describe the circumstances in which Jess is deliberately set up to be hurt at the bindery.

10. What is ironic about the way butches and femmes relate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one theme in the play. Identify at least two themes in the play. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

Essay Topic 2

Create a character study of Jess. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Jess?

Essay Topic 3

Alcohol abuse seems to be an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the abuse? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? How does it affect the abusers? How does it affect those impacted by the abusers? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

(see the answer keys)

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