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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. Hank goes to visit his mother after he has lunch with Jacob. His mother is worried about Mr. Purty. Who is he?

2. What does Hank suggest to his daughter that they do about her situation?

3. What is Hank's wife's name?

4. What did the dog do soon after it arrived at Hank's?

5. What is staff member Gracie upset about in Chapter 1 that leads to Hank's being driven home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is the second place Hank goes to the night of his television report? What happens there? What does Hank end up doing?

2. What did Hank's mother make Hank promise to do if he got a dog? Why?

3. After Hank leaves Bodie Pie's office, what does he notice is happening again?

4. Who is Bodie Pie? What is the result of Hank's meeting with her?

5. After visiting the duck pond, Hank heads to the cafeteria. Who does he meet there? What is Hank's history with this person? What do they talk about?

6. What did Henry, as his parents called him, really want when he was a child? How did he go about convincing them to fulfill his dream?

7. After meeting with his colleagues and before Hank leaves his office to go home, Hank looks around his office and reminisces about his stint as interim chair. What is his assessment?

8. The morning after his news debut, Hank realizes the film has been shown on Good Morning, America, much to everyone's amusement. Hank heads to see Campbell Wheemer. What is Hank's nickname for Wheemer? Why does he call him that? How is Wheemer a contrast to Hank?

9. Who does Hank meet after he leaves his friend's house? What is his reaction to this?

10. The morning after Hank is hit in the nose at a staff meeting, he walks across campus and notices a construction site. What will this site be and what does Hank think about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How are Hank's father and mother characterized in the Prologue? As the novel progresses, how does their relationship with Hank follow the same patterns as it did when he was a child?

Essay Topic 2

Humor is an element of memoir writing that is often employed by authors. Why is it used? How can it enhance a novel? What two types of humor does Russo use in "Straight Man"? Give four examples of Richard Russo's use of humor where you feel the pace and the theme of Straight Man has been enhanced by its use.

Essay Topic 3

State the theme of "Straight Man". How is the theme of the story reflected in the conflicts and challenges Hank Devereaux experiences during one week at Railton College? Give four examples with an explanation for each one.

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