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

2. What is the name of the nightclub where Milli works?

3. Butch Al has the masculine clothes, strength of form, and ________________ that Jess dreams about having.

4. What is Milli's job at the club?

5. Who is Butch Al's femme?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the author's position on labor unions as evidenced in the book?

2. When does Jess first learn that there are other people like her and that she may be able to find them?

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

4. What is the premise of Chapter 1?

5. How does Jess essentially save her life by running away from home?

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

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

8. Describe Jess' life as she assimilates into gay life in Buffalo.

9. What is Tifka's and why does Jess find it a haven?

10. What are the circumstances in which Jess loses her butch virginity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of the novel's title STONE BUTCH BLUES. Why did Feinberg choose this title? Is there an understood message in the title? Is there another title you can suggest that might be more appropriate?

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)

This section contains 1,040 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample